Keith Fitzgerald to Challenge U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan

Former State Rep. Keith Fitzgerald announced Thursday, Oct. 6, that he would be challenging Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, for Florida's 13th Congressional District seat.

In an interview with the St. Petersburg Times Fitzgerald said:

"Instead of focusing on creating jobs or helping families struggling to make ends meet, Congressman Vern Buchanan has tried to end Medicare and protect tax giveaways for big oil while running from one scandal to the next,” said Fitzgerald, to the Times. “His tarnished leadership in a perfect example of what is wrong with Washington, and it’s time for him to go.”

In a statement released by the Florida Democratic Party, party chairman Rod Smith said, “former state Representative Keith Fitzgerald has a record of working across the aisle to better the lives of seniors and families in Sarasota. We are confident Fitzgerald will run a strong campaign centered on the independent leadership that has marked his entire career, and focus on the issues most important to the people of Florida: strengthening the economy and creating jobs.”
 
Smith continued, “Congressman Vern Buchanan is the embodiment of all that is wrong with Washington. From his ethics scandals to his support for ending Medicare, embattled Buchanan has been too busy fighting Democrats and cleaning up his own messes to focus on the needs of Sarasota’s families. It’s time for a change.”

Fitzgerald is also an associate professor of political science at in Sarasota.