Former Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn was arrested in Florida amid his attempt to make a political comeback.
Cawthorn, who served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 11th congressional district from 2021 to 2023, was arrested for failing to appear in court over a traffic citation.
According to the New York Post, Cawthorn received a citation for driving without a valid license.
Disgraced ex-Rep. Madison Cawthorn arrested days after announcing political comeback plot https://t.co/dznMPzSDgq pic.twitter.com/lU6MWybNMs
— New York Post (@nypost) September 11, 2025
More from the New York Post:
His reps confirmed that he “was arrested … for failure to appear for a routine traffic infraction.”
ADVERTISEMENT“Madison keeps a very busy schedule and, due to a scheduling misunderstanding, did not appear in court this morning,” his reps said.
“Following processing Madison was immediately released.”
Cawthorn was booked and released on a $2,000 bond, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Cawthorn is preparing to launch a campaign to run for congress in Florida’s 19th District, Axios reported last week.
The seat Cawthorn is preparing to run for will be vacated by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who is running for governor of Florida.
🚨 JUST IN: Former North Carolina Rep. MADISON CAWTHORN prepares to run for Congress in Florida's 19th Congressional District, to replace Byron Donalds, per Axios. pic.twitter.com/BorAR1eMo0
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 4, 2025
Daily Mail noted:
Cawthorn’s arrest comes less than 24 hours after he met with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill, according to Axios, to discuss launching a run for Congress from his new home state.
The former congressman had only just begun laying the groundwork for what sources described as a highly visible reentry into national politics.
The Florida seat is expected to draw a crowded GOP primary, but with his notoriety and loyal MAGA base, Cawthorn was widely seen as a wildcard contender who could once again upend the establishment.
Wednesday’s arrest is not the first time Cawthorn has tangled with Florida authorities.
ADVERTISEMENTIn 2024, he was involved in a collision along Alligator Alley in Collier County, slamming into the rear of a Florida State Trooper vehicle. That incident drew headlines but did not result in serious charges.
Cawthorn’s team insists the arrest was a simple clerical mishap, not a sign of deeper issues.
