U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Republican who represents Florida’s 16th Congressional District, announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending a two-decade career in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Buchanan has served in Congress since 2007. His retirement will open a competitive race for his safely Republican southwest Florida district.
Buchanan represented Florida’s 13th District until 2012, then the 16th District, anchored in suburban Tampa, after redistricting from 2013 to the present. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and has passed numerous laws.
Buchanan’s announcement comes less than three months after President Donald Trump in early November endorsed Buchanan for re-election to his 10th term in office.
Currently the Vice Chair of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee, Buchanan will leave office after this year as the longest-serving Republican to represent Southwest Florida in the U.S. House.
“Serving the people of Southwest Florida has been the honor of my lifetime,” Buchanan said Tuesday in his announcement.
“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.”
During his tenure, Buchanan has been involved in tax, health care, and trade policy and held leadership roles within Republican ranks.
He will leave behind a legislative record that includes 51 bills signed into law by four presidents — George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump.
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