Florida's 16th Congressional District

Florida's 16th Congressional District

Incumbent

Vern Buchanan

Assumed office: January 3, 2013

Florida's 16th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Vern Buchanan (R).

As of the 2020 Census, Florida representatives represented an average of 770,376 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 700,029 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2024

Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Democratic primary)

Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 16

Incumbent Vern Buchanan defeated Jan Schneider in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 16 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vern Buchanan (R)	59.5	247,516
		Jan Schneider (D)	40.5	168,625

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 416,141
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 16

Jan Schneider defeated Trent Miller in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 16 on August 20, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jan Schneider	65.7	23,701
		Trent Miller	34.3	12,395

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 36,096
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 16

Incumbent Vern Buchanan defeated Eddie Speir in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 16 on August 20, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vern Buchanan	60.9	38,789
		Eddie Speir	39.1	24,868

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 63,657
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2022

See also: Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 16

Incumbent Vern Buchanan defeated Jan Schneider and Ralph E. Hartman in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 16 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vern Buchanan (R)	62.1	189,762
		Jan Schneider (D)	37.8	115,575
		Ralph E. Hartman (No Party Affiliation) (Write-in)	0.0	21

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 305,358
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Jan Schneider advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 16.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Benjamin Miranda-Padilla (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 16

Incumbent Vern Buchanan defeated Martin Hyde in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 16 on August 23, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vern Buchanan	86.2	64,028
		Martin Hyde	13.8	10,219

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 74,247
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 16

Incumbent Vern Buchanan defeated Margaret Good in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 16 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vern Buchanan (R)	55.5	269,001
		Margaret Good (D)	44.5	215,683

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 484,684
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Margaret Good advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 16.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Vern Buchanan advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 16.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jerry Wayne Milligan III (R)

2018

See also: Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 16

Incumbent Vern Buchanan defeated David Shapiro in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 16 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vern Buchanan (R)	54.6	197,483
		David Shapiro (D)	45.4	164,463

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 361,946 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Sean Canfield (No Party Affiliation)
• Eric Allen (G)
• Robert Samuel Kaplan (No Party Affiliation)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 16

David Shapiro defeated Jan Schneider in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 16 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Shapiro	54.7	34,807
		Jan Schneider	45.3	28,834

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 63,641
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Calen Cristiani (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 16

Incumbent Vern Buchanan advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 16 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Vern Buchanan

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Andrew Smyth (R)

2016

See also: Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Vern Buchanan (R) defeated Jan Schneider (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Buchanan defeated James Satcher in the Republican primary, while Schneider defeated Brent King to win the Democratic nomination. The primary elections took place on August 30, 2016.

U.S. House, Florida District 16 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Vern Buchanan Incumbent	59.8%	230,654
	Democratic	Jan Schneider	40.2%	155,262
Total Votes				385,916
Source: Florida Division of Elections

U.S. House, Florida District 16 Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Vern Buchanan Incumbent	80.6%	53,706
James Satcher	19.4%	12,900
Total Votes		66,606
Source: Florida Division of Elections

U.S. House, Florida District 16 Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Jan Schneider	76.2%	31,387
Brent King	23.8%	9,782
Total Votes		41,169
Source: Florida Division of Elections

2014

See also: Florida's 16th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 16th Congressional District of Florida held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Vern Buchanan (R) defeated Henry Lawrence (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Florida District 16 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Vern Buchanan Incumbent	61.5%	169,126
	Democratic	Henry Lawrence	38.4%	105,483
	Write-in	Joe Newman	0.1%	220
Total Votes				274,829
Source: Florida Division of Elections

2012

See also: Florida's 16th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 16th District of Florida held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent from the 13th District, Vern Buchanan won the election in the district.

U.S. House, Florida District 16 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Vern Buchanan Incumbent	53.6%	187,147
	Democratic	Keith Fitzgerald	46.4%	161,929
Total Votes				349,076
Source: Florida Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Thomas J. Rooney won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jim Horn (D) and William Dean (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Florida District 16 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Thomas J. Rooney incumbent	66.8%	162,285
	Democratic	Jim Horn	33.1%	80,327
	Independent	William Dean	0.1%	151
Total Votes				242,763

2008
On November 4, 2008, Thomas J. Rooney won election to the United States House. He defeated Tim Mahoney (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Florida District 16 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Thomas J. Rooney	60.1%	209,874
	Democratic	Tim Mahoney	39.9%	139,373
Total Votes				349,247

2006
On November 7, 2006, Tim Mahoney won election to the United States House. He defeated Joe Negron (R) and Emmie Ross (No Party Affiliation) in the general election.

U.S. House, Florida District 16 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Tim Mahoney	49.6%	115,832
	Republican	Joe Negron	47.7%	111,415
	No Party Affiliation	Emmie Ross	2.7%	6,426
Total Votes				233,673

2004
On November 2, 2004, Mark Foley won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jeff Fisher (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Florida District 16 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Mark Foley incumbent	68%	215,563
	Democratic	Jeff Fisher	32%	101,247
Total Votes				316,810

2002
On November 5, 2002, Mark Foley won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jack McLain (Constitution Party of Florida) in the general election.

U.S. House, Florida District 16 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Mark Foley incumbent	78.9%	176,171
	Constitution Party of Florida	Jack McLain	21.1%	47,169
Total Votes				223,340

2000
On November 7, 2000, Mark Foley won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jean Elliott Brown (D) and John McGuire (Reform Party) in the general election.

U.S. House, Florida District 16 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Mark Foley incumbent	60.2%	176,153
	Democratic	Jean Elliott Brown	37.2%	108,782
	Reform Party	John McGuire	2.6%	7,556
	N/A	Write-in	0%	9
Total Votes				292,500

Redistricting

2020-2024

See also: Redistricting in Florida after the 2020 census

On March 27, 2024, the U.S. District Court for Northern Florida upheld the state's congressional map after it was struck down by a lower court on Sep. 2, 2023. As a result, this map was used for Florida's 2024 congressional elections. According to the U.S. District Court for Northern Florida's order:

“

This case involves constitutional challenges to the congressional districting map proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis and enacted by the Florida Legislature in 2022 ... Plaintiffs had to prove both discriminatory effects and a discriminatory purpose. They proved neither. Thus, [we] concur in the decision to grant judgment in the Secretary’s favor.

”

On December 1, 2023, the Florida First District Court of Appeal ruled 8-2 that the redistricting plan did not unconstitutionally limit Black voting power. The plaintiffs appealed to the Florida Supreme Court, which heard arguments on September 12, 2024.

On September 2, 2023, Leon County Circuit Court Judge J. Lee Marsh struck down enacted North Florida congressional districts and ordered the Legislature to redraw district boundaries. On June 2, 2022, the Florida Supreme Court had declined to block Florida's enacted congressional map, which Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law on April 22.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal had reinstated the congressional district boundaries on May 20, overruling Leon County Circuit Court Judge Layne Smith's temporary hold on the map. On May 11, Smith issued an order declaring Florida's enacted congressional map unconstitutional, saying, "The enacted map is unconstitutional under the Fair District amendment. It diminishes African-Americans’ ability to elect the representative of their choice." Smith also said a map drawn by a court-appointed special master should be substituted for the enacted map in the 2022 elections. The plaintiffs in the case filed an emergency appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on May 23, 2022, seeking a hold on the enacted congressional map.

DeSantis signed the original congressional map into law on April 22, 2022. The map bill was proposed and approved by the Florida State Legislature during a special session called for the purposes of redistricting. The Florida State Senate voted 24-15 to approve the map on April 20, and the Florida House of Representatives voted 68-34 to approve the map on April 21.

This was the second congressional map bill approved by the state legislature. DeSantis vetoed the first on March 29. Republican leaders in the legislature said on April 11 that they would wait to receive a map from DeSantis to support. DeSantis submitted a map to the legislature on April 13, which became the enacted map.

How does redistricting in Florida work? In Florida, both congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. Congressional lines are adopted as regular legislation and are subject to gubernatorial veto. State legislative lines are passed via joint resolution and are not subject to gubernatorial veto. State legislative district maps are automatically submitted to the Florida Supreme Court for approval. In the event that the court rejects the lines, the legislature is given a second chance to draft a plan. If the legislature cannot approve a state legislative redistricting plan, the state attorney general must ask the state supreme court to draft a plan. There are no similar procedures in place for congressional districts.

The Florida Constitution requires that all districts, whether congressional or state legislative, be contiguous. Also, "where doing so does not conflict with minority rights, [districts] must be compact and utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible." Districts cannot be drawn in such a way as to "favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent."

Florida District 16
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Florida District 16
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 16th Congressional District of Florida after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Florida after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Florida State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census. Prior to redistricting the 16th District stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Coast and included parts of Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach counties. Also included within the district were Port Charlotte, Port St. Lucie, and Palm Beach.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+7. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 7 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Florida's 16th the 167th most Republican district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+7. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 7 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Florida's 16th the 177th most Republican district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Donald Trump (R) would have defeated Joe Biden (D) 54.0%-45.1%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+7. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 7 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Florida's 16th the 175th most Republican district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 45.1% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 54.0%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+7. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 7 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Florida's 16th Congressional District the 178th most Republican nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.05. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.05 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Florida
• Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2024
• Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2022
• Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2020
• Florida's 16th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 16

Footnotes

[show]

Florida's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ashley Moody (R)

Rick Scott (R)

Representatives

District 1

Jimmy Patronis (R)

District 2

Neal Dunn (R)

District 3

Kat Cammack (R)

District 4

Aaron Bean (R)

District 5

John Rutherford (R)

District 6

Randy Fine (R)

District 7

Cory Mills (R)

District 8

Mike Haridopolos (R)

District 9

Darren Soto (D)

District 10

Maxwell Frost (D)

District 11

Daniel Webster (R)

District 12

Gus Bilirakis (R)

District 13

Anna Luna (R)

District 14

Kathy Castor (D)

District 15

Laurel Lee (R)

District 16

Vern Buchanan (R)

District 17

Greg Steube (R)

District 18

Scott Franklin (R)

District 19

Byron Donalds (R)

District 20

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D)

District 21

Brian Mast (R)

District 22

Lois Frankel (D)

District 23

Jared Moskowitz (D)

District 24

Frederica Wilson (D)

District 25

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)

District 26

Mario Diaz-Balart (R)

District 27

Maria Elvira Salazar (R)

District 28

Carlos Gimenez (R)

Republican Party (22)

Democratic Party (8)