Florida Democratic Party Responds to the Announcement of Rep. Vern Buchanan’s Retirement: “We don’t run when times get hard, We fight!”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, southwest Florida Republican, Vern Buchanan announced his retirement after 20 years in Congress, stating he will not seek reelection in this year’s midterms. The Florida Democratic Party issued the following statement in response.

“After two decades of rigging our tax codes to favor billionaires and corporations, Vern Buchanan is leaving Washington. If ever there was a bellwether for Americans, this is it. True conservatives are leaving office in droves, disgusted by their own party and unwilling to hold this corrupt president accountable,” said Florida Democratic Chair Nikki Fried. 

“Buchanan is the 28th republican to announce he won’t seek reelection after this term. Instead of standing up to the extremism of Trump, they are running off to sunny shores as democracy faces an existential threat. Democrats won’t back down. We are overperforming and ready to fight for our country, the rule of law, and values we all hold dear.

Democrats will compete everywhere. In the last 10 months alone, the Florida Democratic Party has seen over 800 citizens raise their hands to run for office, not hide and cower in fear of a wannabe dictator. Democratic candidates are stepping up to run for office because that’s what we do as Americans. We don’t run when times get hard, we stand up and fight for what’s right.”

###