Sydney Gruters
Republican
Former executive director of the New College Foundation; former USDA Rural Development state director for Florida
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U.S. House · Nov 3, 2026
Open seat. Held by Vern Buchanan, who is not running.
Open seat: Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan is not seeking reelection; candidates are listed in the order Florida law sets: the party that won the last governor's race first, then the other major party, minor parties and no-party candidates.
Former executive director of the New College Foundation; former USDA Rural Development state director for Florida
Former mayor of Sarasota
Air Force veteran and former corporate retail manager
What each candidate says they support or would do, on the issues they campaign on. Summaries use the same neutral words for everyone and link to the candidate’s own words.
Researched with AI and confirmed by a second, independent AI check. Our editors haven’t reviewed it yet. How we verify
RepublicanSydney Gruters
Says she would cut taxes and fight rising costs so working families can afford gas, groceries and everyday essentials.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
Would repeal tax breaks he says let billionaires pay less than other taxpayers, close corporate loopholes and pay down the debt.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
Supports taxing billionaires.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
Would work with President Trump and ICE to keep families safe from violent criminals entering the country illegally.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
No published position found.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
Says crime and immigration problems are real but can be addressed without militarizing the streets.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
Says she would stand with President Trump to ensure elections are secure.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
No published position found.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
Supports rebuilding checks and balances so that no one person can rule.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
Would work to curb overdevelopment and keep homeownership within reach for working families.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
Would expand affordable housing and stop Wall Street from buying up single-family homes, which he says gouges renters.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
No published position found.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
No published position found.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
Would create an insurance backstop, repeal cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, allow the government to negotiate lower prescription drug prices and protect people with pre-existing conditions.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
Supports universal health care that covers everyone, saying the current system of employer-based and profit-driven plans has failed.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
Would protect Social Security and Medicare and strengthen veterans' benefits.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
No published position found.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
No published position found.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
No published position found.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
Would prohibit offshore drilling, stop open-water fish farming, enforce the Clean Water Act and hold phosphate companies accountable to protect Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and the coastline.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
No published position found.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
No published position found.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
Would keep public lands public, invest in more conservation land upstream and oppose privatizing state and federal lands for golf courses, development and resource extraction.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
No published position found.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
No published position found.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
Would keep AI hyperscale data centers out of District 16 until they show they won't drain aquifers, raise utility costs, contaminate the air or override local control.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
No published position found.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
No published position found.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
Would fully staff VA clinics and restore the Veterans Crisis Line to full 24/7 operation.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
No published position found.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
No published position found.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
Says only Congress can declare war and that any conflict that would cost American lives deserves a full, public debate in Congress.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
No published position found.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
No published position found.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
No published position found.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
Says tariffs are worsening rising rents, insurance costs and stagnant wages, and supports policies aimed at everyday Floridians rather than billionaires.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
No published position found.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
No published position found.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
Supports protecting women's rights and reproductive freedom in federal law.
RepublicanSydney Gruters
No published position found.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
No published position found.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
Supports changing gun laws so that, in his words, "our kids stop becoming targets."
“so our kids stop becoming targets”
RepublicanSydney Gruters
No published position found.
DemocraticKelly Kirschner
No published position found.
No Party AffiliationMark Davis
Supports free public college and trade school.