Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan announced Tuesday that he will be retiring from Congress after 20 years in office, the latest Republican to forgo seeking reelection amid a challenging midterm environment for the party.

Buchanan, who represents the red 16th District that includes some of Tampa’s suburbs along the Gulf Coast, is a longtime member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

“Serving the people of Southwest Florida has been the honor of my lifetime,” Buchanan said in a statement. “After 20 years of service, I believe it’s the right time to pass the torch and begin a new chapter in my life.”

First elected in 2006, Buchanan became a key player on tax, trade and health care policy.

Source link