Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) announced on Jan. 27, 2026, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.

In a statement announcing his retirement, Buchanan wrote, “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.”

In 2006, Buchanan first ran for the U.S. House in Florida’s 13th Congressional District after then-incumbent Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Fla.) announced she would not seek re-election. In the general election, Buchanan defeated Christine Jennings (D) 50.1% to 49.9%. Buchanan won re-election in the district by 18 percentage points in 2008 and 38 percentage points in 2010.

In 2012, Buchanan began serving in Florida’s 16th Congressional District due to redistricting. Buchanan won by a median of 19 percentage points in his seven re-election bids which he ran with major party opposition in the district. Buchanan’s widest margin of victory (MOV) in the district was in 2014 and 2022, when he won by 24 percentage points. His narrowest MOV in the district was in 2012 when he won by eight percentage points.

As of Jan. 27, 2026, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have rated the 2026 general election for the district as Solid Republican. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it Safe Republican.

As of Jan. 27, 2026, Buchanan is one of 58 members of the U.S. Congress — nine U.S. Senate members and 49 U.S. House members — who have announced they will not seek re-election to their current seats in 2026. 

Of the 49 U.S. House incumbents who are not seeking re-election:

• Twenty-two — 13 Democrats and nine Republicans — are retiring from public office.
• Fifteen — seven Democrats and eight Republicans — are running for the U.S. Senate.
• Eleven — one Democrat and 10 Republicans — are running for governor.
• One Republican is running for state attorney general.

Compared to the last four election cycles, there were 40 retirement announcements at this point in 2024, 41 in 2022, 34 in 2020, and 42 in 2018.

 Between January 2011 to January 2026, Ballotpedia followed 348 announcements from U.S. House members who announced they would not seek re-election. January had the highest number of members announcing they would not run for re-election at 57. The fewest announcements took place in June at 15.