Vern Buchanan retiring from House despite Trump endorsement
Rep. vern Buchanan (R‑Fla.), 74, announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, saying after 20 years in Congress it’s time to “pass the torch.” The southwest Florida lawmaker had received a late‑2024 endorsement from Donald Trump but decided to step down despite representing a district Trump carried comfortably; the district could change with upcoming redistricting.
Buchanan, first elected in 2006, serves as vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Commitee and helped advance last year’s One Big Stunning Bill Act. He has focused on Florida environmental issues—working across the aisle to block offshore drilling—and has been a prominent advocate for animal welfare, twice winning the Humane Society’s national “legislator of the Year” award and cosponsoring the 2019 Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act.
He won reelection in 2024 with 59% of the vote (a 19‑point margin). His son, state Rep. James Buchanan, is a possible candidate to succeed him. Buchanan is the latest of 28 House Republicans who have chosen not to return for 2026, with several others pursuing governorships, Senate bids, or other offices.
Vern Buchanan announces retirement as House GOP sees waves of departures
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) will not seek reelection in 2026, despite earning an endorsement from President Donald Trump for another term late last year.
Buchanan, 74, was first elected to represent Florida in 2006. He represents a district in southwest Florida that Trump won by 18 percentage points in 2024, but could be redrawn via redistricting this year.
“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,” Buchanan said. “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 is the vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which played a significant role in passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year.
The congressman has focused heavily on environmental issues affecting Florida, often working in a bipartisan manner to ban offshore oil drilling off the Sunshine State’s coast. According to the Florida Phoenix, Buchanan was also a significant champion of animal rights, becoming the only member of the House to receive the Humane Society’s national “Legislator of the Year Award” twice.
He also cosponsored the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act in 2019, one of the first federal laws targeting extreme instances of animal cruelty.
The congressman has easily won reelection over the past two decades, most recently defeating his Democratic opponent by 19 points with 59% of the vote in 2024. Florida plans to undergo redistricting this year, the latest in a series of escalating moves by Democrats and Republicans.
HERE’S WHERE HOUSE AND SENATE RETIREMENTS STAND IN 2026
Buchanan’s son, Republican Florida state Rep. James Buchanan, could run for his seat.
The retiring congressman is the latest among House lawmakers who are opting to leave office or seek higher positions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. He is the 28th House Republican to decide not to return to their House seat, with 10 retiring and 18 seeking a governorship, a Senate seat, or another office.
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