Incumbent Vern Buchanan (R) and Eddie Speir (R) are running in the August 20th Republican primary in Florida’s 16th Congressional District

Incumbent Vern Buchanan (R) and Eddie Speir (R) are running in the Republican primary for Florida’s 16th Congressional District on August 20, 2024.

Buchanan was first elected to the U.S. House in 2006. He defeated his two most recent primary challengers, James Satcher in 2016 and Martin Hyde in 2022, by 61 and 72 percentage points, respectively.

The Tampa Bay Times called Speir’s run “a challenge from the right.” Speir said, “[W]e have witnessed a shocking erosion of our individual rights and liberties. Where has Vern Buchanan been?” and called Buchanan “a statesman for the status quo.” Buchanan said, “We’ve built up a good reputation, a good name, and we’ve done a good job for a long time. I think you’ll see that at the ballot box.” Buchanan campaign manager Max Goodman said, “Even the most rabid Republicans are turned off by Speir.”

In the 118th Congress, Buchanan was Vice Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and chaired its Health Subcommittee. Buchanan highlighted these committee positions in the campaign and said he would “continue to be a strong advocate for protecting and strengthening Medicare for both today’s seniors and future generations.” His campaign site reads further: “Balancing the budget is an urgent priority as the U.S. national debt has reached $31 trillion and continues to grow.”

Speir founded and sold a financial software company and also founded a private Christian school. In January 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) appointed Speir to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees, but the Florida Senate did not confirm the appointment. Speir called Buchanan out of touch with the district’s needs. He said Buchanan has “consistently been one of the biggest spenders in Congress, outspending most Democrats to approve funding that is disconnected from his constituents’ immediate needs and concerns.”

As of June 4, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball all rated the general election Solid/Safe Republican. The last Democrat to represent the district was Tim Mahoney (D) in 2006.