Michael Carbonara
Michael Carbonara | |
|---|---|
Carbonara in 2025 | |
| Born | May 24, 1983 Bethpage, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Ulster County Community College |
| Occupations | Politician, businessman |
| Spouse |
Sonia Del Carmen (m. 2019) |
| Website | michaelcarbonara |
Michael Carbonara (born May 24, 1983) is an American businessman and Republican political candidate. In 2025, he announced his candidacy for the Republican Party nomination for the United States House of Representatives in Florida's 25th congressional district, challenging incumbent Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the 2026 election cycle.[1][2]
Early life and education
Carbonara was born in Bethpage, New York, and attended high school in upstate New York. He later enrolled at Ulster County Community College, where he earned an associate degree in business administration.[3]
Business career
In 2017, Carbonara founded Ibanera, a financial technology company providing cross-border payments, currency conversion, and digital banking infrastructure services.[4] The company announced a partnership with Cross River Bank in 2022 to expand payment capabilities.[5] In 2023, Ibanera secured $18.5 million in capital investment.[6]
In March 2025, OffshoreAlert reported that Deltec Bank filed suit against Ibanera and Carbonara in connection with an alleged $18 million dispute, describing claims made in the litigation.[7] In July 2025, The Tribune reported that Deltec was continuing efforts to recover approximately $20 million following a court decision related to an asset freeze.[8]
Carbonara also founded Gattaca Genomics in 2024.[9]
Political career
2026 congressional campaign
In May 2025, Carbonara formally declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination in Florida's 25th congressional district for the 2026 United States House of Representatives election.[10] The district is currently represented by Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz. In an October 2025 interview, Carbonara criticized Wasserman Schultz’s record and accused her of being “against Israel,” outlining his own pro-Israel stance and contrasting policy priorities.[11]
In September 2025, Carbonara stated he was prepared to challenge Wasserman Schultz “regardless of the district’s lines,” referencing the possibility of redistricting changes ahead of the 2026 election.[12]
By October 2025, Carbonara’s campaign had raised nearly $1 million using blockchain-based fundraising methods, highlighting the use of cryptocurrency in his campaign finance strategy,[13] as part of his challenge to Wasserman Schultz.[14]
References
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (May 8, 2025). "Are Democrats sleeping on South Florida? And could Jared Moskowitz pay the price?". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ Morgade, Adrian (October 17, 2025). "Republican Michael Carbonara Challenges Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Says She's 'Against Israel'". The Floridian. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ "Michael Carbonara Launches Campaign for Congress". MichaelCarbonara.com. September 3, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ Willis, Dan (March 16, 2023). "Ibanera lands $18.5m in capital investment". FinTech Global. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Lee, Fort (December 15, 2022). "Ibanera announces partnership with Cross River to power payments capabilities". ROI-NJ. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ Willis, Dan (March 16, 2023). "Ibanera lands $18.5m in capital investment". FinTech Global. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Marchant, David (March 3, 2025). "Deltec Bank sues digital platform provider Ibanera & its CEO, Michael Carbonara, for '$18M theft'". OffshoreAlert. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Hartnell, Neil (July 15, 2025). "Deltec: We fight on for $20m despite asset freeze defeat". The Tribune. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (September 3, 2025). "Michael Carbonara ready to challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz, regardless of the district's lines". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (May 8, 2025). "Are Democrats sleeping on South Florida? And could Jared Moskowitz pay the price?". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Morgade, Adrian (October 17, 2025). "Republican Michael Carbonara Challenges Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Says She's 'Against Israel'". The Floridian. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (September 3, 2025). "Michael Carbonara ready to challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz, regardless of the district's lines". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ Vecerina, Michelle (October 15, 2025). "Republican congressional candidate Michael Carbonara raises nearly $1M using blockchain technology". Florida’s Voice. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (October 15, 2025). "Michael Carbonara raises almost $1 million in crypto to challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 23, 2025.