Three candidates vie for open Florida House seat
Vern Buchanan retires after 20 years, leaving the 16th District race to a Democrat, a Republican, and an independent.
By Joao Menon ·
Florida voters in the 16th Congressional District will choose a new representative this year. Current Congressman Vern Buchanan announced he is retiring at the end of his term. He has served in Congress for 20 years. Three candidates are competing to fill the seat.
Democrat Kelly Kirschner is a third-generation Floridian. His background includes service in the Peace Corps, where he helped Mayan farming families increase their household income. He also served on the Sarasota City Commission and held one term as mayor. At a campaign event in Bradenton, Kirschner spoke to voters in the Latino community.
Kirschner said he has lived in Central America for over four years and is fluent in Spanish. His priorities include healthcare, lowering the cost of living, and protecting the Gulf Coast. He also wants to build an affordable economy, support veterans, and end what he calls wars of choice. He noted that 48% of the population in the district lives paycheck to paycheck. He argued that the U.S. needs to get out of Iran and provide affordable healthcare for everyone.
Republican Sydney Gruters is the wife of Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters. She previously worked for Congressman Greg Steube in 2018 and has more than a decade of experience in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump has endorsed her. Gruters spoke at a rally in Lakeland for Vice President JD Vance in October. She said residents want to keep Florida safe, affordable, and free. Her campaign lists cost of living, inflation, border security, and housing costs as key issues.
Mark Davis is running without party affiliation. He is a veteran and a small business owner. The campaign for Sydney Gruters did not respond to an interview request before the news deadline.
The race pits a local politician with international experience against a Washington insider and an independent business owner. Each candidate is targeting voters who feel the cost of living is too high. The winner will represent the district in the next Congress.
Source: ABC Action News
