GOP challenger Michael Carbonara quickly amassed almost $1 million after launching his campaign to unseat U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Using forward-thinking technology, he said he’s proving Florida voters have grown tired of the state’s longest-serving congressional Democrat.
“Floridians are struggling to make ends meet with the high cost of groceries, essentials, property taxes and insurance. When the government should be working to make life better, Debbie Wasserman Schultz is keeping the government shut down,” Carbonara said.
“It’s time we retire career politicians and let hard work and innovation make the government work for you. I’m running to restore our freedoms and give every American the chance to prosper.”
Carbonara has encouraged the use of blockchain technology to donate Bitcoin. His public wallet shows he has almost $883,000 in liquid assets now at his disposal. By comparison, Wasserman Schultz, who had not filed third-quarter reporting yet, raised more than $811,000 in the first half of 2025.
Notably, Wasserman Schultz has amassed far more funding over the course of her congressional career, which dates back to 2004. As of the end of June, she reported almost $1.35 million in cash on hand.
At the six-month mark, Carbonara had reported almost $678,000 in his coffers, all of that through a candidate loan. In 2020, Carbonara launched a fintech firm, Ibanara, and then, in 2024, a genetic mapping firm, Gattaca Genomics. Cutting-edge technology has been part of his brand and something he has tried to amplify in his campaign.
Besides using technology to fundraise, Carbonara seems to have seen a surge in support as Florida is poised to redraw its congressional lines ahead of the Midterms. Most say that could spell trouble for Wasserman Schultz if the Republican-controlled Legislature recrafts her safe Democratic seat as one that leans Republican.
Read more on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.
