FL District 16 Race: 3 Candidates Vie for Open Seat

For the first time in 19 years, voters in Florida's 16th Congressional District will not see Vern Buchanan's name on the ballot. The longtime Republican representative announced his retirement in January.

The district now encompasses all of Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties, along with portions of Pinellas, Sarasota and Polk counties. This new configuration blends coastal cities and inland communities.

Three candidates seek to represent the district: Republican Sydney Gruters, endorsed by President Trump; Democrat Kelly Kirschner, former Sarasota mayor focusing on affordability and a desire for change; and Air Force veteran Mark Davis, running as a no-party candidate.

The candidates appeared together Wednesday in a virtual forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. The general election is Nov. 5.