WASHINGTON — Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-Longboat Key) has announced that he is dropping out of the 2026 D16 Congressional race and will retire from Congress. Buchanan is the latest in a string of Republican members of Congress to announce they will not seek reelection.
Buchanan announced on Tuesday that he will retire at the conclusion of his current term after 20 years in office. Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, will leave office as the longest-serving Republican to represent Southwest Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Serving the people of Southwest Florida has been the honor of my lifetime,” said Buchanan. “Every achievement worth doing began with listening to my constituents and fighting for their priorities. I came to Congress to solve problems, to fight for working families, and to help ensure this country remains a place where opportunity is available to everyone willing to work for it. After 20 years of service, I believe it’s the right time to pass the torch and begin a new chapter in my life.”
Buchanan has served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee and as a member of the prestigious Joint Committee on Taxation. Buchanan currently serves as Chairman of the Health Subcommittee. For more than a decade, he has served as Co-Chair of the Florida Congressional Delegation.
There has already been speculation that Buchanan’s son, Florida Rep. James Buchanan, who is currently running for the state Senate, could seek the seat, although it seems likely that several Republicans would jump into the race for a blue-district seat that has not been open in two decades. On the Democratic side, Jan Schneider, Glenn Pearson, and Jonathan Harris will vie for their party's nomination. Mark Davis has filed to run as an NPA candidate.
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Cat L
Not going to miss those incredibly leading poll questions... Off you go then. Don't get hit by the door on the way out.
Tuesday, January 27 Report this
Smartins
I hope Vern grown a spine between now and the end of his term. To date he's rubber-stamped Trump's MAGA agenda. He's also lost touch with his constituents. Several emails I sent to him went unanswered, and he hasn't held a town hall in over 5 years. Not even a remote town hall.
Tuesday, January 27 Report this
rjckeuka4
20 years of "service?" and all he had to do was sell his soul...and vote for the Big Bill which cashes him out an extra $5 Million or so! Not a bad buy-out!
Tuesday, January 27 Report this
RRICH69176
another public "servant" who got richer "serving" the needs of his area..playing hide and seek for 5 years, he must be tired.
Tuesday, January 27 Report this
Charles
At the expense of taxpayers, his son sent me a mailer touting his association with MAGA — "proud" images of James Buchanan with both Vance and Trump. I have been unable to compose a civil response. Am glad to see that so many of the rats are jumping the party ship rather than facing our rebuke for what they have turned it into and I never will support those they attempt to propose as their replacements, especially with the mini-Buchanan.
Tuesday, January 27 Report this
Lktinsanfran
I believe there is a misuse of the word "serve" as in Buchanan served on the Ways and Means Committee, etc. The only person he served was himself. Good riddance. I am so sick and tired of all the politicians touting the great things that they have done, but not for their constituents, just for themselves. Do you know that Vern is worth $261.78 Million? In my mind NO politicial should have that much money. To me, and this may be personal, it screams "graft!" The other sleezy republican, Rick Scott, is worth over $500 Million. It's just wrong. You know how much a portion of their net worth would help all those individuals struggling to make ends meet? It's disgusting. So much for sharing the wealth.
Tuesday, January 27 Report this
san.gander
Wonder what country (tax haven) he's chosen to live in?
Tuesday, January 27 Report this
Debann
AWESOME...BUH BYE..
Tuesday, January 27 Report this
teamj1009
This is absolutely great news. The groundhog stuck his head out of the hole and realized he has done 20 years on the preverbal Gov't teat with having done nothing. Good bye......
Tuesday, January 27 Report this