Florida 16th District
Vern Buchanan (R) is not running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.DiscussSydney Gruters
Republican · former congressional staffer and New College Foundation director
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Gruters, and what Gruters has said and done settles only 2 of my principles. I went through it on October 26. A grade needs 4.
Raised $1,618,888 since January 2025: 75% from people, 22% from PACs and other committees, 3% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Kelly Kirschner
Democrat · former Sarasota mayor and college dean
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Kirschner, and what Kirschner has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 30. A grade needs 4.
Raised $876,363 since January 2025: 98% from people, 2% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Florida: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Sydney Gruters, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Gruters, so the grade above comes from this list: what Gruters has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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At the League of Women Voters forum she said she does not want the government taking over health care.
“I do not want the government taking over my healthcare”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing government-run health care is with liberty on free markets.
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Her campaign site says she is ready to cut taxes and fight rising costs, without naming a tax.
“Sydney is ready to cut taxes and fight rising costs so working families can afford gas, groceries, and everyday essentials.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
'Cut taxes' with no tax named does not settle the measure.
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Her campaign site says she will strengthen veterans' benefits, without naming a defence budget position.
“Sydney will strengthen veterans' benefits and protect Social Security and Medicare so seniors and those who served can retire with security and peace of mind.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Veterans' benefits are not the funding or equipping of the armed forces named in the measure, so the line does not settle it.
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At the League of Women Voters forum she said existing immigration laws should be enforced.
“I don't think we need more laws in place. The laws are there. We just have to enforce them.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Enforcing the immigration law is with liberty on borders.
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Her campaign site says she will work with President Trump and ICE to keep families safe from violent criminals entering the country illegally.
“Sydney will work with President Trump and ICE to keep our families safe from violent criminals entering our country illegally.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Working with ICE against people who entered illegally is with liberty on borders.
Kelly Kirschner, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Kirschner, so the grade above comes from this list: what Kirschner has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Kirschner called the US war in Iran a war of choice and described its cost as the height of insanity.
“For me, it’s the height of insanity of wars of choice—that we’re approaching $100 billion if not greater right now in Iran”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Condemning the American strikes and war on the regime in Tehran falls on the against side of the Iran regime measure.
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Kirschner's campaign site says only Congress can declare war and calls for a public debate before wars of choice, without naming a policy on Iran in these words.
“If it’s worth American blood, it is worth a full, public, and rigorous debate in the halls of Congress.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A call for a congressional debate with no policy on Iran named is unclear for anyone.
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His campaign site lists ending tax breaks for billionaires among the first things he would do in Congress.
“Tear up the tax breaks that let billionaires pay less than we do.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Raising taxes on high earners is against liberty on free markets.
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Pledged to let the government negotiate lower prescription drug prices.
“allow government to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-set drug prices are a form of price control, which is against liberty on free markets.
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Kirschner's campaign profile lists a pledge to fight the tariffs.
“Fight the chaotic tariffs that are killing local business.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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Said the country is spending $80 billion a year on ICE and that it could be saved by penalising employers who use undocumented labour instead.
“We’re spending, this year, $80 billion on ICE.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Arguing against ICE spending in favour of employer penalties is against liberty on borders (opposing ICE).
Also on the ballot
Mark Davis (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Florida 16th District
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