GOP Candidate Wants to Rename Florida Highway After Trump

Ola Hawatmeh, running in Florida's 19th Congressional District, plans to file legislation to rename I-75 the "President Donald J. Trump Superhighway" if elected.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:23pm

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Ola Hawatmeh, a Republican congressional candidate in Florida's 19th District, has announced plans to rename a stretch of I-75 in Southwest Florida the "President Donald J. Trump Superhighway" if she wins her election. Hawatmeh says it's an "easy call" to honor the former president, who she calls the "most consequential and America First president in U.S. history."

Why it matters

The proposal to rename the highway after Trump is the latest effort by GOP candidates to pay tribute to the former president, who remains a powerful force in the Republican party. The move is seen as a way to court Trump's endorsement and energize his base of supporters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The details

Hawatmeh, who is running in the crowded Republican primary race in FL-19, says she will file legislation to rename the 42-mile stretch of I-75 that runs through the district if she wins the general election. The highway passes through the cities of Fort Myers and Naples in Lee County. Hawatmeh's announcement comes after state Rep. Meg Weinberger, who has endorsed Hawatmeh, filed a measure to rename a section of Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach County after Trump.

  • Florida's primary election is on August 18, 2026.
  • Hawatmeh plans to file the renaming legislation if she wins the general election later in 2026.

The players

Ola Hawatmeh

A Republican congressional candidate running in Florida's 19th District who has announced plans to rename a stretch of I-75 the "President Donald J. Trump Superhighway" if elected.

Donald Trump

The former president whom Hawatmeh wants to honor by renaming the highway, calling him the "most consequential and America First president in U.S. history."

Meg Weinberger

A Florida state representative who has endorsed Hawatmeh and filed a measure to rename a section of Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach County after Trump.

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What they’re saying

“President Donald Trump is the most consequential and America First president in U.S. history. Honoring his accomplishments, accomplishments that have saved American lives, protected our God-given liberties and freedoms, and helped us continue to live our American dream, is an easy call. I am looking forward to hitting the road with him to 'Make America Great Again'.”

— Ola Hawatmeh, Republican Congressional Candidate (floridianpress.com)

What’s next

If Hawatmeh wins the Republican primary on August 18, 2026, she plans to file legislation to rename the I-75 southern corridor in Southwest Florida the "President Donald J. Trump Superhighway" after the general election.

The takeaway

Hawatmeh's proposal to rename the highway after Trump is the latest example of GOP candidates seeking to align themselves with the former president and his supporters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The move is seen as a way to court Trump's endorsement and energize his base, underscoring his continued influence within the Republican party.