US Rep. Vern Buchanan wins Florida House District 16 primary. Here are the results
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan defeated challenger Eddie Speir in the Republican primary for Florida’s 16th Congressional District Tuesday night.
With the vast majority of precincts reporting, Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, earned 37,520, or just under 61% of the vote in the district that includes all of Manatee County and eastern Hillsborough County, compared to Spier’s 24,184 votes or 39%.
“It’s my greatest honor to represent the men and women of Manatee and Hillsborough counties. I look forward to a resounding victory in November,” Buchanan said in a statement provided to the Bradenton Herald Wednesday morning.
Jan Schneider, a Democrat who has led several unsuccessful campaigns against Buchanan, won nearly 66% of the vote in the Democratic primary against Lakewood Ranch attorney Trent Miller, tallying 22,674 votes in total compared to Miller’s 11,870 or 34%.
Buchanan and Schneider are now set to face off once again in the Nov. 5 general election.
Buchanan, who was first elected to Congress in 2006 and is a Republican co-chair of Florida’s congressional delegation, campaigned on a platform of experience and accomplishment, pointing to a list of 33 bills passed under four different Presidents in one ad.
The incumbent spent upwards of $1.5 million in seeking his 10th term in Congress representing Florida’s 16th Congressional District.
Speir, the founder of the private Christian school Inspiration Academy, attempted to unseat Buchanan but was outraised by a wide margin.
Last cycle, Buchanan defeated Sarasota Republican Martin Hyde in a landslide with more than 85% of the vote.
This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 8:27 PM.
