For the first time since 2007, Suncoast voters won’t see Vern Buchanan’s name on the congressional ballot. The longtime Republican representative announced his retirement in January, and now three candidates are competing for Florida’s 16th Congressional District: Republican Sydney Gruters, Democrat and former Sarasota mayor Kelly Kirschner, and no-party candidate Mark Davis, an Air Force veteran. Gruters has President Trump’s endorsement, while Kirschner is centering his campaign on affordability and frustration with politics as usual.
The district itself is new territory. A map signed into law in May redrew District 16 to include all of Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties, plus portions of Pinellas, Sarasota and Polk. That mix of coastal cities and inland communities could make this swing-leaning seat one of the more closely watched races in Florida, with potential implications for the balance of power in Congress.
All three candidates appeared Wednesday in a virtual forum hosted by the League of Women Voters, their first joint appearance of the campaign. The general election is set for Nov. 3. Which issue matters most to you in this race? Let us know in the comments.
