{"id":2554308,"date":"2026-01-27T15:08:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T20:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/vern-buchanan-retiring-from-house-despite-trump-endorsement\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T15:09:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T20:09:30","slug":"vern-buchanan-retiring-from-house-despite-trump-endorsement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/vern-buchanan-retiring-from-house-despite-trump-endorsement\/","title":{"rendered":"Vern Buchanan retiring from House despite Trump endorsement"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fvern-buchanan-retiring-from-house-despite-trump-endorsement%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2554308&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rep. vern Buchanan (R\u2011Fla.), 74, announced he will not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-dem-senate-candidate-announces-support-for-medicare-for-all\/\" title=\"Wisconsin Dem Senate Candidate Announces Support for Medicare for All\">seek reelection<\/a> in 2026, saying after 20 years in Congress it\u2019s time to \u201cpass the torch.\u201d The southwest Florida lawmaker had received a late\u20112024 endorsement from Donald Trump but decided to step down despite representing a district Trump carried comfortably; the district could change with upcoming redistricting.<\/p>\n<p>Buchanan, first elected in 2006, serves as vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Commitee and helped advance last year\u2019s One Big Stunning Bill Act. He has focused on Florida environmental issues\u2014working across the aisle to block offshore drilling\u2014and has been a prominent advocate for animal welfare, twice winning the Humane Society\u2019s national \u201clegislator of the Year\u201d award and cosponsoring the 2019 Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act.<\/p>\n<p>He <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dem-cheri-bustos-diverts-post-office-aid-cash-to-own-campaign\/\" title=\"Dem Cheri Bustos Diverts Post Office Aid Cash to Own Campaign\">won reelection<\/a> in 2024 with 59% of the vote (a 19\u2011point 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.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Vern Buchanan announces retirement as House GOP sees waves of departures<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2485840\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) will not seek reelection in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\">2026<\/a>, despite earning an endorsement from President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> for another term late last year.<\/p>\n<p>Buchanan, 74, was first elected to represent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\">Florida<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4435333\/ro-khanna-defends-talking-protester-who-promised-its-gonna-get-worse\/\">Ro Khanna defends talking to protester who promised &#8216;it&#8217;s gonna get worse&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4435323\/ilhan-omar-to-hold-town-hall-minneapolis\/\">Ilhan Omar to hold town hall in Minneapolis<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4434576\/republicans-embrace-trump-shift-toward-deescalation-minnesota\/\">Republicans embrace Trump&rsquo;s shift toward de-escalation in Minnesota<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; Buchanan said. &ldquo;After 20 years of service, I believe it&rsquo;s the right time to pass the torch and begin a new chapter in my life.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) asks questions during a House Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, April 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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&rsquo;s coast. According to the <em>Florida Phoenix<\/em>, Buchanan was also a significant champion of animal rights, becoming the only member of the House to receive the Humane Society&rsquo;s national &ldquo;Legislator of the Year Award&rdquo; twice.<\/p>\n<p>He also cosponsored the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act in 2019, one of the first federal laws targeting extreme instances of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/5-more-men-charged-in-animal-sacrifice-at-white-supremacist-camp\/\" title=\"5 More Men Charged In Animal Sacrifice At White Supremacist Camp\">animal cruelty<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The congressman has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pelosi-on-her-heels-two-more-democrats-call-it-quits-ahead-of-2022-midterms\/\" title=\"Pelosi On Her Heels: Two More Democrats Call It Quits Ahead Of 2022 Midterms\">easily won reelection<\/a> over the past two decades, most recently defeating his Democratic opponent by 19 points with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wusf.org\/politics-issues\/2024-11-05\/manatee-election-results-2024-buchanan-wins-reelection-school-referendum-passes\">59% of the vote<\/a> in 2024. Florida plans to undergo redistricting this year, the latest in a series of escalating moves by Democrats and Republicans.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4040585\/where-house-senate-retirements-stand-2026\/\">HERE&rsquo;S WHERE HOUSE AND SENATE RETIREMENTS STAND IN 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Buchanan&rsquo;s son, Republican Florida state Rep. James Buchanan, could run for his seat.<\/p>\n<p>The retiring congressman is the latest among House lawmakers who are opting to leave office or <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >seek higher positions ahead<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vern Buchanan won&#8217;t run in 2026; GOP exits rise<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2554309,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25353696140166.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[43492,7620,39103,66603,72034],"class_list":["post-2554308","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-florida-politics","tag-retirement","tag-trump-endorsement","tag-u-s-house-of-representatives","tag-vern-buchanan"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25353696140166.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2554308","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2554308"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2554308\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2554312,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2554308\/revisions\/2554312"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2554309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2554308"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2554308"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2554308"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}