Vern Buchanan to retire after 20 years representing Manatee County in Congress

Rep. Vern Buchanan announced he will retire at the end of his current term in the U.S. House of Representatives, which will mark his 20th year representing Manatee County in Washington D.C.

The announcement comes as a surprise reversal after Buchanan previously declared his intention to seek another term.

The Republican lawmaker from Longboat Key was first elected in 2006, beating out Democratic opponent Christine Jennings by a razor-thin margin. Since that race, he has easily held onto the seat, winning with comfortable margins over Republican and Democratic challengers.

On Tuesday, a statement from the lawmaker’s office noted that Buchanan will retire as the longest-serving Republican to represent Southwest Florida in the U.S. House.

“Serving the people of Southwest Florida has been the honor of my lifetime,” Buchanan said in the statement. “Every achievement worth doing began with listening to my constituents and fighting for their priorities. 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. 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 currently serves as Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. One of the most powerful committees in Congress, the group shapes U.S. law on taxes, tariffs, Social Security and other fiscal matters.

What has Buchanan done in Congress?

Buchanan has served in Congress under four presidents who signed 51 of his legislative measures into law, according to his office.

His efforts include securing nearly $28 million for the construction of the Sarasota National Cemetery for veterans, bipartisan legislation to make animal cruelty a federal felony and millions secured for research into red tide and other harmful algal blooms that have impacted Florida’s environment and economy.

Buchanan also sponsored military training safety reforms after a training accident in 2019 killed Army Spc. Nicholas Panipinto, a 20-year-old from Bradenton.

Buchanan also helped develop 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a major revision of U.S. tax law that Congress voted to pass via party lines.

Buchanan adds millions to net worth in Congress

Buchanan was raised in Inkster, Michigan, a small town outside of Detroit. After graduating from high school, he served in the Michigan Air National Guard and later became the first person in his family to graduate from college, according to his biography.

After co-founding and selling a printing business in Michigan, Buchanan moved to Florida in the early 90s and purchased his first car dealership. He later expanded to own and invest in a network of dealerships in Sarasota and beyond, amassing a multimillion-dollar fortune before his first run for Congress in 2006.

During his first year in office, Buchanan reported wealth of over $100 million, placing him among the wealthiest members of Congress. As of 2026, his net worth has more than doubled to an estimated value of $261.8 million, making him the sixth-wealthiest member of Congress, according to Quiver Quantitative.

How has Buchanan navigated the Trump years?

Buchanan has maintained strong ties with President Donald Trump, despite sometimes taking more moderate stances than the president’s most vocal supporters in Congress.

After the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot, Buchanan split with other members of the Florida delegation and voted to certify the 2020 election results, despite Trump’s claims that the election was “stolen.”

However, Buchanan endorsed Trump in the 2024 election cycle and has worked to execute the president’s agenda in his second term.

In November, Trump praised Buchanan as a “fantastic advocate” for his district and gave his “complete and total endorsement” for Buchanan’s reelection.

Buchanan’s decision to retire coincides with a wave of other longtime lawmakers in both parties who have recently announced they will not seek reelection to Congress.

Who is running to replace Buchanan?

As of Tuesday afternoon, no Republicans have filed to run for Buchanan’s seat, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

Democratic candidates Jonathan Harris, Glenn Pearson and Jan Schneider are running for the office, as well as no-party-affiliation candidates Mark Davis and Keith Varian.

This story was originally published January 27, 2026 at 11:36 AM.