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NewsWSLR Community RadioOctober 23, 2026Manatee County

Sydney Gruters and Kelly Kirschner race in Florida’s 16th Congressional District sees heavy spending and outside support

Photo: WSLR Community Radio

With early voting underway 12 days before the midterms, new Federal Election Commission filings reveal that Republican Sydney Gruters raised $1.5 million with significant backing from large donors and PACs, while Democrat Kelly Kirschner raised about $0.75 million primarily from individual local donors. The Cook Political Report recently downgraded the district from "Solid Republican" to "Likely Republican," making the race closer than expected to succeed retiring Representative Vern Buchanan.

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Why It Matters

Residents in the 16th Congressional District will decide on November 3 who replaces retiring Representative Vern Buchanan in a newly redrawn district that could help determine control of Congress.

Key Facts

Each fact below is taken from the article. Click one to see the exact passage.

Who's Mentioned

PersonPaul Singer“Donor to the Conservatives for American Excellence super PAC”PersonMike Johnson“House Speaker whose PAC donated to Sydney Gruters”OrganizationThe Cook Political Report“Downgraded the district from 'Solid Republican' to 'Likely Republican'”PersonJohn Cannon“Head of John Cannon Homes who supported Sydney Gruters”PersonBrian Ballard“Tallahassee lobbyist supporting Sydney Gruters”PersonTom Emmer“House Majority Whip whose committees donated $14,000 to Sydney Gruters”PersonVern Buchanan“10-term Representative retiring from the 16th Congressional District seat”PersonNoah Bookstein“Reported on campaign finance details for WSLR”OrganizationNextEra“Parent company of FPL that backed Gruters”PersonJim Jordan“Ohio Congressman whose PAC donated to Sydney Gruters”OrganizationConservatives for American Excellence“Super PAC that spent at least $1.6 million supporting Gruters”PersonPat Neal“Real estate figure who supported Sydney Gruters”PersonMark Davis“Independent candidate running without party affiliation in CD-16”PersonMori Hosseini“Head of ICI Homes who supported Sydney Gruters”OrganizationMedallion Homes“Homebuilding company whose head gave heavily to Gruters”PersonCarlos Beruff“Head of Medallion Homes who supported Sydney Gruters”OrganizationDefend American Jobs“Crypto industry-funded super PAC supporting Gruters”PersonSteve Scalise“House Majority Leader whose PAC donated to Sydney Gruters”OrganizationICI Homes“Homebuilding company whose head gave heavily to Gruters”OrganizationJohn Cannon Homes“Homebuilding company whose head gave heavily to Gruters”PersonSydney Gruters“Former Buchanan aide, former New College Foundation head, and wife of Joe Gruter”PersonKen Griffin“Donor to the Conservatives for American Excellence super PAC”locationManatee County“One of the six counties covered by Florida’s redrawn CD-16”PersonJoe Gruters“Republican National Committee Chair and husband of Sydney Gruters”PersonKelly Kirschner“Former mayor of Sarasota running in Florida's 16th Congressional District”