Florida challenger targets ‘GOP establishment’ in high-stakes race to replace Vern Buchanan

Eddie Speir isn’t afraid to pick a fight with the Florida GOP establishment. In 2024, he took on 10-term incumbent Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., with just under 40% of the vote, positioning himself as a constitutional conservative outsider against the established moderate Republican.

Now, with Buchanan announcing on January 27 that he will retire after nearly two decades in D.C., Speir is launching another grassroots, outsider candidacy to challenge the “RINO Republicans” he often derides.

FLORIDA GOP REPRESENTATIVE VERN BUCHANAN TO RETIRE, ADDING HOME QUIT WAVE

“This is a continuation of what I did on 24 against Vern Buchanan to expose RINOs. [Republicans In Name Only] they do not represent the district or the taxpayers of Florida. “So we need someone who will step up and represent Washington DC with a bold agenda and not compromise the elite social circles in DC.”

Speir said he believes his messaging and grassroots support will carry him to victory in the Aug. 18 primary.

“We were the largest grassroots movement in the history of this district … No one else in the entire state of Florida had even come close to winning 40%. … So it’s hard to go against an incumbent here in Florida. But now there’s not even an incumbent, so we’re going to continue the momentum we have and spread the message.”

SUMMER SAVINGS REFORM HIT AS LAWMAKERS EXCUSE “BACKGROUND PRACTICES”

Political observers in Florida have debated several possible candidates who could join Speir in the GOP primary. Chief among them is Joe Gruters, a close Trump ally who cut his political teeth working on Buchanan’s campaign and would become the establishment heir apparent.

Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., attends a House Ways and Means Committee meeting. Buchanan recently announced that he would retire from Congress. (Bill Clark/Getty Images)

But Gruters’ potential candidacy is complicated by the three senior positions he currently holds. He is currently a Florida state senator, RNC chairman, and also a candidate for Florida Comptroller in 2026.

Gruters is seen as Speir’s most likely opponent, and some believe he may give up his Florida CFO candidacy to run in Florida’s 16th district.

THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT MODERN ‘ANTIFASCISM’

New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran was also discussed as a potential candidate. Speir was appointed to the New College of Florida board of trustees by Governor Ron DeSantis in January 2023, but the Florida Senate declined to confirm his appointment.

Speir’s controversial tenure at New College and subsequent rejection of his confirmation by the Florida Senate catapulted Speir onto the national stage at a time when the Florida GOP was conspicuously trying to rebrand the school as the “Hillsdale of the South.”

Other candidates who could join the field include former state Rep. Mike Beltran, developer Carlos Beruff, former state Senate President Bill Galvano and Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn.

Speir says he will be up against not only the local GOP establishment, but also President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Speir said he was aware he would be up against not only the local GOP establishment but also President Donald Trump:

“Vern Buchanan had the worst possible record in the ’24 primaries, and Donald Trump backed him with a lot of other terrible candidates. So we need to be able to separate Trump’s priorities and his constitutional conservative push from the political machine he works with, because that political machine does the Republican Party no favors,” Speir said.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

“So I think the endorsements mean a little less. That doesn’t mean I won’t try to get Trump’s endorsement, but we’ve already won.” [a] a historic vote and as a challenger in 2024.”