While he hasn’t drawn an opponent yet, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., is already gearing up to run again in 2020.
Buchanan announced this week that he had brought in more than $550,000 during the first quarter of 2019.
“I’m humbled by such a strong show of support so early in the campaign,” Buchanan said. “People are responding to my positive agenda to keep the economy strong, protect veterans benefits and safeguard Social Security and Medicare.”
Democrats hoped attorney David Shapiro would defeat Buchanan in 2018 but the Republican bested him 55 percent to 45 percent even as Democrats flipped the U.S. House.
Buchanan should be able to keep that advantage in 2020. Republican Donald Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in this district by 11 percent in 2016. Republicans make up 41 percent of the district, which includes all of Manatee County and parts of Sarasota and Hillsborough Counties, while 32 percent of the voters there are Democrats.
