Versions :<1 2 3 4 5 Live

Florida Congressman Buchanan Retiring After 20 Years

Does this open the door for a similar successor, do Democrats have a shot at gaining ground in the state, or do Floridians want America First candidates to replace the old guard?

Published 3 days ago

Florida Congressman Buchanan Retiring After 20 Years

story

Above: U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 18, 2025. Image credit: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Spin

Republican narrative

After 20 years in Congress, Vern Buchanan leaves a record of results, from tax and trade reforms to bipartisan health care wins. As vice chair of Ways and Means, he turned business sense into laws signed by four presidents and delivered for veterans and seniors. His retirement opens the door for a new generation of Republicans to succeed as Governor DeSantis helps strengthen the GOP's presence across the state.

Congressman Vern Buchanan FOX News

Democratic narrative

Vern Buchanan’s legacy is clouded by his early ethics troubles, including a Justice Department investigation into alleged campaign finance misconduct, even if the case was dropped. His exit offers Democrats an opening. While Florida is tough, recent special elections show Democrats running well ahead of 2024 margins, especially with Hispanic voters. With the right moderate candidate, Florida is no more out of reach than other battleground states.

Politico Slow Boring (Matthew Yglesias)

Conservative narrative

As establishment Republicans fade from the scene, Floridians deserve real conservative leadership that puts the state and its people first. Voters are increasingly rejecting neocons in favor of leaders who defend free speech, oppose foreign entanglements and challenge the old GOP consensus. With candidates like James Fishback running for governor, there's growing momentum for an America First movement that reflects grassroots priorities rather than party insiders.

American Conservative