Vern Buchanan Ends U.S. Senate Speculation

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, is going to focus on being re-elected to the seat he currently holds instead of joining the list of Republicans seeking to take on U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., next year.

Although I have been encouraged to run for U.S. Senate, I can have a greater impact serving people as Floridas only member of the influential House Ways and Means Committee, which will be deciding major issues such as tax reform, health care and international trade, Buchanan stated in a release Tuesday night.

Buchanans name had been floated as a potential Senate candidate since state Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, withdrew from the U.S. Senate campaign in July.