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Vern Buchanan

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Vern Buchanan
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2007
Preceded byKatherine Harris
Constituency13th district (2007–2013)
16th district (2013–present)
Personal details
Born (1951-05-08) May 8, 1951 (age 73)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children2, including James Buchanan
WebsiteHouse website
Vern Buchanan's voice
Vern Buchanan speaks in support of H.R.115, the Thin Blue Line Act
Recorded May 18, 2017

Vernon Gale Buchanan (/bjuːˈkænən/ bew-CAN-ən; born May 8, 1951)[1] is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 16th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, he first entered Congress in 2007, representing Florida's 13th congressional district until redistricting. His district is anchored by Bradenton.[2]

Buchanan is the only Republican member from Florida on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, international trade, health care and Social Security. Before serving in Congress, Buchanan was in business for over 30 years and chaired both the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Florida Chamber of Commerce. He served as a member of the board and the executive committee of the United States Chamber of Commerce.

Early life and education

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Buchanan grew up in Inkster, Michigan, a small town outside Detroit, the son of a factory foreman in a family of six children.[3][4] His maternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from Finland.[5] When he graduated from high school in 1969, he joined the Michigan Air National Guard, serving there for six years. Buchanan got a bachelor's degree in business administration from Cleary University and a master's in business administration from the University of Detroit.[citation needed]

Business career

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In his June 2007 financial disclosure filing, Buchanan reported over $100 million in assets, making him among the five wealthiest members of Congress. Most of his wealth is from his automotive empire, which includes several dealerships in Florida. He also reported ownership interests in about 50 other businesses, including offshore reinsurance companies and a charter-jet business. He reported receiving at least $19.5 million in income from these businesses in 2006.[6]

American Speedy Printing

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In May 1976, Buchanan convinced the owner of a Michigan printing company, Jim McDonald, that he could help the business grow. The two founded American Speedy Printing, which grew through franchising to more than 730 stores in 44 states. Later, Buchanan and American Speedy Printing were defendants in a string of lawsuits during the late 1980s and early 1990s by franchisees and master franchisees, who said they were not making the money that Buchanan had said they could expect. After filing for bankruptcy, he was accused by a creditors' committee of taking excessive compensation and actions that resulted in overstated earnings for American Speedy Printing. In a 1995 deposition, he said that he had no personal obligation to repay a large corporate loan from Merrill Lynch. A dispute with the Internal Revenue Service over taxes on the money Buchanan received from Merrill Lynch stretched through the 1990s. Buchanan, his business partner, and Merrill Lynch were sued for violating the Michigan Corporation Act. It ended with Buchanan paying $1.5 million.[7]

Car dealerships

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In 1992, Buchanan bought a Honda and Acura dealership in Ocala, Florida. In late 1999, he bought two more dealerships. He continued to acquire dealerships after that, but in 2006 he sold five dealerships and other businesses in order to concentrate on politics.[3] His dealerships had $756 million in sales in 2005.[7]

Reinsurance companies

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Buchanan owns two reinsurance companies—Jamat Reinsurance Co. and Buchanan Reinsurance Co., in Turks and Caicos, and part of the Bermuda reinsurance company Greater Atlantic Insurance Co. The three companies offer extended warranty policies to car buyers. Buchanan invests some of the proceeds from his reinsurance companies in real estate developments in the Bahamas.[8]

Ritz-Carlton

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In 1999, Buchanan was approached to help to finance the Ritz-Carlton condo-hotel development in Sarasota. Buchanan was cut out of the project. The developers, Robert Buford and Kevin Daves, said he lied about his financial means. Buchanan sued, and the parties settled in 2001.[9] Per a structured settlement, Buchanan bought a condo from a nephew of Buford's for $5 million; the nephew had purchased it the day before for $2.368 million. Buchanan owned the unit for a little more than a year and then sold it to another member of Buford's family for $6.35 million. The arrangement resulted in Buchanan paying taxes on his gain at the reduced long-term capital gains rate. Buford benefited from the apartment's increased appraised value and the use of Buchanan's $5 million.[9] In the year he owned the penthouse, Buchanan used it for charity fundraisers.[9]

PPP loans and criticism

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In 2022, Buchanan had $2.3 million in PPP loans forgiven. Buchanan was criticized for his hypocrisy regarding President Biden's student loan debt forgiveness.[10][11]

Political campaigns

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2006

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See also: 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida

Primary election

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Buchanan ran in the 13th congressional district in Florida to replace incumbent Republican Katherine Harris, who was the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate. Buchanan won the Republican primary with 32% of the vote, against four opponents. His closest challengers were Nancy C. Detert, with 25% of the vote, and Tramm Hudson, with 24%.

In the November general election, Buchanan faced Democrat Christine Jennings, a banking executive. There were 216,000 registered Republicans and about 155,000 registered Democrats in the district,[12] but Jennings polled ahead of Buchanan up to election day.[13] Buchanan put more than $5 million of his own money into his campaign.[3]

In October, Vice President Dick Cheney held a fund-raising luncheon for Buchanan;[14] later that month, President George W. Bush held a fund-raising reception for him.[15] Between the two events, Governor Jeb Bush, Senator Mel Martinez, and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney came to the district to campaign for Buchanan.[16]

Republican primary results[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan 20,918 32.33
Republican Nancy Detert 15,804 24.43
Republican Tramm Hudson 15,535 24.01
Republican Mark Flanagan 6,465 9.99
Republican Donna Clarke 5,972 9.23
Total votes 64,694 100.00

General election

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Initial results of the November election showed Buchanan leading by less than 350 votes. Due to the closeness of the race, and a high undervote of 18,000 in Sarasota County, a recount was ordered. Sarasota County voters had given more votes to a hospital board than they had to their Congressional representative—with 13% of voters not voting, compared to an average of 2% in neighboring counties.[13] The touch-screen voting machines used provided no paper record.[13] On November 20, 2006, the Florida Department of State certified the results of the recount, which showed Buchanan winning by 369 votes.

Jennings challenged the results of the election in court, citing "pervasive malfunctioning of electronic voting machines."[13] In December 2006, a Florida circuit judge ruled that her claim that voting machines in Sarasota County lost up to 18,000 votes was "conjecture" and didn't warrant overriding the trade secrets of the voting machine company. In June 2007, a Florida state appellate court ruled that Jennings did not meet the "extraordinary burden" of proving the lower court judge was wrong.[18] Another suit, filed by voters represented by Voter Action, People For the American Way Foundation, the ACLU of Florida, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation[19] was also dismissed.

The U.S. House of Representatives had the right to make the final determination as to whether Buchanan would hold the seat for the remainder of the term or be replaced by Jennings. In April, a three-person House task force was created to evaluate the election.[20] In early May, the task force voted along party lines to refer an investigation into Florida's 13th district House race to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).[21] On February 25, 2008, the committee and the House accepted the GAO's findings that no machine error was demonstrated as sufficient to have altered the outcome of the election. The House passed HR 989 affirming the committee's findings, accepting the results of the race, and formally dismissing Jennings's challenge of the election results. Jennings formally dropped her challenge shortly thereafter to focus on a 2008 rematch against Buchanan.[22]

General Election Results, 2006
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan 119,309 50.08
Democratic Christine Jennings 118,940 49.92
Total votes 238,249 100.00
Republican hold

2008

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See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 13

Buchanan defeated Jennings with 55% of the vote to her 38%.[23] On election night, he said, "What a difference two years makes."[24]

General Elections Results, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan (incumbent) 204,382 55.5
Democratic Christine Jennings 137,967 37.5
Independent Jan Schneider 20,289 5.5
Independent Don Baldauf 5,358 1.5
Total votes 367,996 100.00
Republican hold

2010

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See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 13

In May 2009, Buchanan announced his candidacy for reelection.[25] He defeated Don Baldauf in the Republican primary, and Reverend James T. Golden in the general, with 68.9% of the vote.[26]

General Election Results, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan (incumbent) 183,811 68.9
Democratic James T. Golden 83,123 31.1
Total votes 266,464 100.00
Republican hold

2012

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See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 16

In 2012, Buchanan defeated Democratic former state representative Keith Fitzgerald with 53.6% of the vote. This is his narrowest victory since 2006.

General Election Results, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan (incumbent) 187,147 53.6
Democratic Keith Fitzgerald 161,929 46.4
Total votes 349,076 100.0
Republican hold

2014

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See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 16

In 2014, Buchanan defeated Democratic nominee Henry Lawrence with 61.5% of the vote to Lawrence's 38.4%.

General Election Results, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan (incumbent) 169,126 61.5
Democratic Henry Lawrence 105,483 38.4
Independent Joe Newman (write-in) 220 0.1
Total votes 274,829 100.0
Republican hold

2016

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See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 16

In 2016, Buchanan defeated Democratic nominee Jan Schneider, an attorney and author, with 59.8% of the vote to Schneider's 40.2%.

Results

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General Election Results, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan (incumbent) 230,654 59.8
Democratic Jan Schneider 155,262 40.2
Total votes 385,916 100.0
Republican hold

2018

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See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 16

In 2018, Buchanan defeated the Democratic nominee, attorney David Shapiro, with 54.6% of the vote.

General Election Results, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan (incumbent) 197,483 54.6
Democratic David Shapiro 164,463 45.4
Total votes 361,946 100.0
Republican hold

2020

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See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 16

In 2020, Buchanan defeated Democratic nominee Margaret Good with 55.5% of the vote. Good defeated Buchanan's son James in a closely watched special election in 2018.

In February 2021, Buchanan announced his candidacy for reelection in 2022.[27]

General Election Results, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan (incumbent) 269,001 55.50%
Democratic Margaret Good 215,683 44.49%
Total votes 484,684 100.0
Republican hold

2022

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See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 16

In 2022, Buchanan won a 9th term by defeating Democratic nominee Jan Schneider, who was the previous nominee in 2016, with 62% of the vote. Buchanan's constituency changed as a result of the 2020 redistricting cycle. The new 16th district no longer encompasses Sarasota county.

Florida's 16th congressional district, 2022[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan (incumbent) 189,762 62.1
Democratic Jan Schneider 115,575 37.9
Independent Ralph E. Hartman (write-in) 21 0.0
Total votes 305,358 100.0
Republican hold

2024

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Buchanan faced his biggest primary challenge to date against Eddie Speir. Buchanan won by 20 points with 60% of the vote to Speir's 40%. Buchanan was endorsed by former President Donald Trump[29]

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vern Buchanan (incumbent) 38,734 60.9
Republican Eddie Speir 24,835 39.1
Total votes 63,569 100.0

Criminal investigations

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In July 2012, the House Ethics Committee cleared Buchanan of charges that he violated House rules by misleading Congress in his financial disclosure forms.[30] After the issue was raised, Buchanan submitted revised forms.[31] The committee "found no evidence that the errors were knowing or willful and unanimously determined that the errors were not substantively different from the hundreds or thousands of errors corrected by amendment at the requirement of the Committee every year."[30]

In 2008, the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a Federal Elections Commission (FEC) complaint alleging "straw donors" to Buchanan's campaign (campaign contributions from Buchanan's employees for which they were then reimbursed); in 2011, CREW requested a U.S. Department of Justice investigation.[31] (The group also named Buchanan to its annual "most corrupt members of Congress" list in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012).[32]

By 2012, Buchanan was being investigated by the House Ethics Committee, the FEC, the Justice Department, and the Office of Congressional Ethics over two separate allegations of campaign finance misconduct: that he had violated federal law and House rules by coercing a former business partner to sign a false affidavit to the FEC, and that he had illegally reimbursed car-dealership employees for campaign contributions.[33][34] The latter allegation was also raised in a legal dispute with Sam Kazran, Buchanan's former business partner, who alleged that Buchanan engaged in a "cash swap scheme" in which employees were directed to write checks to Buchanan's campaign fund, then reimbursed by the company.[34]

In 2012, the Justice Department ended its 11-month investigation with no criminal charges.[35] The FEC also ended its investigation by 2012.[31] Kazran agreed to pay $5,500 in fines "for improperly funneling money to Buchanan's campaign committee",[31] and in May 2013 three men and two Tampa companies were fined a total of $16,000 by the FEC for illegal campaign contributions to Buchanan.[36][37] In 2016, after a four-year inquiry, the House Ethics Committee ended its investigation, finding "insufficient evidence" of wrongdoing on Buchanan's part.[33][31]

Kazran filed a separate breach of contract lawsuit against Buchanan in Florida state court; Buchanan prevailed in that litigation.[38][39]

Beginning in 2008, Buchanan faced lawsuits by six former employees, who alleged "conspiracy, fraud, and retaliatory personnel actions" as well as the hiring of undocumented immigrants and consumer fraud.[40] None of those cases made it to trial and by 2011 most had been "dismissed with no judgments against Buchanan."[41]

On June 23, 2016, the House Ethics Committee released this statement, concluding its investigation into Buchanan: "Because the evidence is insufficient to conclude that Representative Buchanan himself was aware of the unlawful reimbursements at the time they occurred, or had any role in directing or approving of them, and the evidence is insufficient to find that Representative Buchanan attempted to improperly influence the testimony of Mr. Kazran before the FEC, the Committee has determined to take no further action in this matter, and upon publication of this Report, considers the matter closed."[citation needed]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Tenure

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Buchanan was sworn in as Representative for Florida's 13th Congressional District on January 3, 2007. Congressional Quarterly noted that Buchanan voted in support of President Bush's legislative agenda 66% of the time in 2007, the third-lowest rate of the 16 members of Florida's Republican congressional delegation.[42]

Buchanan secured federal funding of $2 million for reimbursement for cleanup efforts in Anna Maria Island and $4 million for cleaning up Wares Creek in Manatee County.[43][44]

Buchanan introduced a constitutional amendment in January 2007 that would require Congress to pass a balanced budget if ratified.[45] He introduced legislation to create a postage stamp honoring and assisting disabled veterans, and secured funding for the construction of a national veterans' cemetery in Sarasota County.[46][47] He also introduced a bill to increase federal assistance for fighting gang crime and secured grant funding for local anti-gang efforts in Manatee County.[48][49]

As of July 2008, Buchanan had voted to override five of Bush's vetoes of legislation passed by the 110th Congress. These override votes included a vote in support of expanding the coverage range of the SCHIP program, the 2008 farm bill, and the Water Resources Development Act.[50]

On September 29, 2008, Buchanan voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008,[51] but changed his vote to support the bill in the October 3 second House vote.[52]

Buchanan sponsored several bills in the 111th Congress, including House Resolution 1839, a Bill to Amend the Small Business Act to Improve SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), which was introduced on April 1, 2009c. House Resolution 1839 would require the administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that SCORE increases the proportion of small business mentors from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, establish benchmarks for evaluating its activities and volunteers, and establish a mentoring program of one-on-one advice to small businesses from qualified counselors.[53]

In the 112th Congress, Buchanan was named to a seat on the Ways and Means Committee, the only member from Florida serving on that committee.[54] He was also asked by NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions to serve as vice chair of the committee.[55]

In January 2011, Buchanan helped secure the construction of Sarasota National Cemetery through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The cemetery plans include 11,500 grave sites, 16,000 cremated remains sites, and other buildings and structures necessary for funerals for veterans and their families.[56]

In June 2011, the House passed Buchanan's Military Tribunals for Terrorists Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The amendment, approved by a largely party-line vote of 246–173, would "require all foreign terrorism suspects to be tried only in military tribunals and never in civilian courts."[57]

In October 2011, Buchanan "played a large role" in the passage of free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. The treaties were backed by the White House and a bipartisan majority in Congress.[58]

In December 2011, the House passed H.R. 527, a Buchanan-backed measure to close "loopholes in current law to ensure regulatory agencies will fully account for the effect of new regulations on small businesses before regulations are adopted."[59]

In February 2012, Buchanan supported President Obama's proposal to lower the corporate tax rate from 35% to 28%. In a statement, Buchanan said, "I appreciate the president's willingness to engage on such an important issue."[60]

In 2011, Buchanan and Representative Ed Markey introduced the Pill Mill Crackdown Act of 2011, legislation that would require money seized from so-called pill mills to be directed to drug treatment programs; "increase fines and sentences for those convicted of running pill mills"; and make hydrocodone drugs such as Vicodin more difficult to obtain.[61] The bill received bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate (where introduced companion bill was introduced),[61] but never made it out of committee.[62]

Committee assignments

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For the 118th Congress:[63]

Caucus memberships

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Political positions

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Economy

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Buchanan voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[68] With an estimated $55 million in real estate assets, Buchanan directly benefits from the loophole that lowers the tax rate on pass-through income from real estate.[69] After the act passed, Buchanan said the changes were what "Floridians have needed for a long time." The bill also includes a measure, created by Buchanan, to provide tax relief to citrus growers impacted by Hurricane Irma.[70]

Immigration and refugees

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Buchanan supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order to bar entry to the U.S. to citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries and also supported Trump's executive order to bar federal funding to so-called sanctuary cities, saying "LONG OVERDUE ... Time to protect Americans."[71]

Abortion

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Buchanan believes that abortion should be illegal.[72]

Marijuana

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Buchanan has a "C" rating from marijuana legalization advocacy group National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws for his voting history regarding cannabis-related issues.[73]

LGBT rights

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Buchanan voted against the Equality Act.[citation needed]

Gun policy

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Buchanan characterizes himself as "a strong defender of the Second Amendment, a Life Member of the NRA, and a gun owner and hunter."[74]

As of 2020, Buchanan had a rating of B− from the NRA Political Victory Fund.[75] This was down from an "A−" in 2017,[76] and an "A" rating in 2014, indicating a voting record that is generally pro-gun rights.[77] The Florida Center for Investigative Reporting reported that Buchanan received a total of $25,830 for his campaigns in 2010 and 2012 in the form of direct contributions or independent expenditures from NRA-affiliated PACs.[78]

After the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Buchanan indicated support for regulation of bump stocks, saying, "Bump stocks generating automatic rates of fire should face the same restrictions as automatic weapons."[79] After the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Giffords, an organization helmed by Gabby Giffords, announced that Buchanan was on its "incumbent-defeat priority list" in response to the organization's perception that Republican Congress members are blocking efforts to reduce gun violence.[80]

In March 2021, Buchanan was one of eight Republicans to join the House majority in passing the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021.[81]

In 2022, however, Buchanan would vote against S. 2938: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a bipartisan gun control bill which was sponsored by Republican Senator John Cornyn.[82]

Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018

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Buchanan and Alcee Hastings co-sponsored the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018, a bill outlawing the consumption of cats and dogs. It passed the House in September 2018.[83]

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

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Buchanan was among the 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[84]

Personal life

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Buchanan lives in Longboat Key, Florida, with his wife, Sandy, whom he met in college. The Buchanans have two sons.[85] His son James was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2018.[86] Buchanan is a Baptist.[87]

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave Buchanan its Spirit of Enterprise award in 2009. Buchanan is a former board member of the chamber, which endorsed him in his 2006 and 2008 campaigns for the 13th Congressional District seat.[88]

Also in 2009, the Veterans of Foreign Wars gave Buchanan their Legislative Achievement Award for his work on legislation improving the quality of life of active and reserve service members, military retirees, veterans and their families.[89]

On July 19, 2021, Buchanan announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated, becoming the first member of Congress to do so.[90][91] He began quarantining at home and urged Americans to remain vigilant despite the vaccines' efficacy.[92]

With a net worth of $157.2 million, Buchanan is the 6th-wealthiest member of Congress.[93]

References

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  1. ^ "BUCHANAN, Vernon G. 1951 –". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  2. ^ "Sarasota Herald-Tribune". www.heraldtribune.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Lauren Mayk, "Buchanan: Big deals led to big riches" Archived August 28, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Herald-Tribune, October 31, 2006
  4. ^ "Vern Buchanan Biography". Vern Buchanan Congress. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  5. ^ "Buchanan". freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014.
  6. ^ Duane Marsteller, "One of richest reps in Congress: Vern Buchanan"[permanent dead link‍], Bradenton Herald, June 16, 2007
  7. ^ a b Lauren Mayk, "A success story that's not so simple: Vern Buchanan's messy departure from American Speedy is a seldom-told tale" Archived October 22, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Herald Tribune, October 6, 2006
  8. ^ Michael Bragda, "Use of offshore companies helps Buchanan reduce his tax burden" Archived December 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Herald-Tribune, October 31, 2006
  9. ^ a b c Michael Braga, "Accountants, others question settlement between Buchanan, wealthy developer" Archived September 9, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, Herald-Tribune, September 10, 2006
  10. ^ "White House Slams Republicans Who Criticized Student Debt Relief but Received PPP Loans". Forbes.
  11. ^ "White House shines light on Republicans criticizing student debt cancellation after their PPP loans were forgiven". NBC News. August 26, 2022.
  12. ^ Jeremy Wallace, "President Pitches In at Buchanan Fundraiser: Bush touts GOP principles at Vern Buchanan event in Sarasota" Archived December 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, The Ledger, October 25, 2006
  13. ^ a b c d "Another election mess in Florida" Archived February 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, The Economist, December 9, 2006
  14. ^ "Vice President's Remarks at a Luncheon for Vern Buchanan for Congress " Archived December 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, press release, October 6, 2006
  15. ^ "Remarks by the President at Vern Buchanan for Congress Reception" Archived December 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, press release, October 24, 2006
  16. ^ "GOP launches rescue mission in Florida race: Once-secure congressional seat now in jeopardy, polls say", Associated Press, October 20, 2006
  17. ^ "Election and voting information" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  18. ^ "Jennings Dealt Setback In Voting Machine Challenge" Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, CBS local news (cbs4.com), June 18, 2007
  19. ^ "Sarasota Voters File Lawsuit for Re-vote in Congressional Race " Archived December 22, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Electronic Frontier Foundation, November 21, 2006
  20. ^ Phil Davis,""House Panel to Consider Florida Contest"". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 3, 2007. Retrieved May 3, 2007., Associated Press, April 17, 2007
  21. ^ Aaron Blake, "FL-13 task force will turn over investigation to GAO" Archived May 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, The Hill, May 3, 2007
  22. ^ Lesley Clark (February 26, 2008). "US House dismisses challenge to Jennings' claim to seat". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2008.
  23. ^ Larry Copeland,"Florida Election Results" Archived August 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, "USA Today", November 6, 2008
  24. ^ Zac Anderson,"Buchanan Breezes to a Win" Archived June 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Herald-Tribune", November 5, 2008
  25. ^ Duane Marsteller, "Buchanan Announces Re-Election Bid" Archived May 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Bradenton Herald", May 12, 2009
  26. ^ "FL Dept of State, Division of Elections". Retrieved June 25, 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  27. ^ Ogles, Jacob (February 7, 2021). "Vern Buchanan launches 2022 campaign with Super Bowl weekend fundraiser". Florida Politics. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  28. ^ "November 8, 2022 General Election - Official Results". Florida Department of State.
  29. ^ "Buchanan Scores Latest Trump Endorsement in Chain of Endorsements". May 29, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Yager, Jordy (July 10, 2012). "House Ethics panel clears Rep. Buchanan". The Hill. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  31. ^ a b c d e John Bresnahan, House Ethics Committee finds no wrongdoing by Rep. Buchanan Archived April 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Politico (June 24, 2016).
  32. ^ "Vern Buchanan". CREW'S Most Corrupt. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
  33. ^ a b Rema Rahman, House Ethics Committee Clears Vern Buchanan: Panel cites insufficient evidence against Florida congressman Archived August 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Roll Call (June 24, 2016).
  34. ^ a b Scott Bronstein; Drew Griffin (June 23, 2012). "Powerful congressman accused of campaign finance violations". CNN. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  35. ^ Jeremy Wallace, Buchanan campaign says he's been cleared by Justice Department Archived April 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Sarasota Herald-Tribune (September 11, 2012).
  36. ^ Susan Taylor Martin, FEC fines 3 men, 2 Tampa companies for illegal contributions to Rep. Vern Buchanan ,Tampa Bay Times (May 7, 2013).
  37. ^ Kent Cooper, FEC Follows DOJ With Another Fine for Buchanan Contributions Archived April 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Roll Call (May 6, 2013).
  38. ^ Sara Kennedy, Vern Buchanan scores big legal win in fight with former business partner Archived April 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Bradenton Herald (November 14, 2014).
  39. ^ Jeremy Wallace, Jury sides with Buchanan against former business partner Archived April 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Sarasota Herald-Tribune (November 13, 2014).
  40. ^ Friedman, John (August 19, 2008). "Exclusive: Florida GOP Congressman Vern Buchanan Facing Seven Legal Complaints, Accusations Of Wrongdoing From Employees". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  41. ^ Jeremy Wallace, Buchanan sheds car dealerships, fueling speculation he may run for U.S. Senate Archived April 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Sarasota Herald-Tribune (July 3, 2011).
  42. ^ Congressional Quarterly. "2007 Presidential support ratings". Archived from the original on October 31, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
  43. ^ Nicholas Azzara (April 8, 2008). "Feds finally pay for '02 renourishing".
  44. ^ Editorial, Bradenton Herald (February 5, 2008). "A fix on flooding at Wares Creek".
  45. ^ "H.J. RES 21, Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States", Sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, January 31, 2007.
  46. ^ ""H.J. CON. RES. 176, Expressing the sense of the Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued to honor our Nation's disabled veterans."". Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
  47. ^ Bradenton Herald staff (September 6, 2007). "Cash for vet cemetery".
  48. ^ ""H.R. 3922, Gang Reduction, Investment, and Prevention Act"". Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
  49. ^ Bradenton Herald (September 14, 2007). "Violent crime grant awarded".
  50. ^ Jeremy Wallace (July 17, 2008). "Buchanan votes to override another Bush veto". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
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[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vern Buchanan.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 13th congressional district
2007–2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 16th congressional district
2013–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
66th 		Succeeded by
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