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Conservative Outsider Eddie Speir Launches New Congressional Bid Following Buchanan’s Retirement
Eddie Speir is preparing for another battle against what he calls the Florida GOP establishment. After challenging 10-term incumbent Rep. Vern Buchanan earlier this year and securing nearly 40% of the vote, Speir is launching a fresh campaign for Florida’s 16th congressional district following Buchanan’s January 27 retirement announcement.
“This is just a continuation of what I did in ’24,” Speir told reporters. “We need somebody that’s gonna step up and actually represent and go to Washington D.C. with a bold agenda and not compromise to the elite social circles that are up there in D.C.”
The self-described constitutional conservative believes his strong showing against Buchanan demonstrates significant grassroots support that will propel him to victory in the August 18 Republican primary.
“We were the largest grassroots movement in this district’s history,” Speir noted. “Nobody else had even come close to earning 40% in the entire state of Florida… But now there’s not even an incumbent, so we’re just gonna continue the same momentum that we had and get the message out.”
Florida’s 16th district, which encompasses Manatee County and eastern Hillsborough County, could see a crowded field in the upcoming primary. Political observers have identified several potential contenders who might challenge Speir, with Joe Gruters considered the likely establishment candidate.
Gruters, a close Trump ally who previously worked on Buchanan’s campaign, currently holds multiple positions: Florida state senator, RNC chairman, and candidate for Florida Chief Financial Officer in 2026. Political analysts believe he might abandon his CFO candidacy to pursue the congressional seat.
Other potential candidates include New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran, former state Rep. Mike Beltran, developer Carlos Beruff, former state Senate President Bill Galvano, and Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn.
Speir’s own political profile rose during his controversial tenure on the New College of Florida board of trustees, where he was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in January 2023. The Florida Senate ultimately refused to confirm his appointment, a decision that thrust him into the national spotlight amid the DeSantis administration’s efforts to transform New College into what some have called the “Hillsdale of the South,” referring to the conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan.
Despite positioning himself as a Trump-aligned conservative, Speir acknowledges he may not receive the former president’s endorsement. Trump previously backed Buchanan in the 2024 primary despite what Speir characterized as “one of the worst records possible.”
“We’ve got to be able to separate Trump’s priorities and his constitutional conservative push versus the political machine that he’s working with, because that political machine is not doing any favors to the Republican Party,” Speir said. “I think the endorsements mean a little bit less. Now, that doesn’t mean that I won’t try to get Trump’s endorsement, but we already gained [a] historic vote as a challenger in 2024.”
The upcoming race represents a significant test for Florida’s Republican Party, with tensions between traditional establishment figures and the insurgent conservative wing becoming increasingly visible. For Speir, the campaign is a continuation of his efforts to challenge what he sees as “RINO Republicans” who fail to represent the district’s constituents.
Florida’s 16th district has been reliably Republican in recent elections. Buchanan’s retirement after nearly two decades in Congress creates an open-seat opportunity in a state where Republicans have steadily consolidated power at both state and federal levels.
As the August primary approaches, voters in the district will have to decide whether they prefer Speir’s outsider approach or a candidate more aligned with the traditional Republican establishment.
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11 Comments
Speir’s description of his campaign as the ‘largest grassroots movement’ in the district’s history is an ambitious claim. It will be interesting to see if he can translate that into a winning strategy.
Grassroots support can be a powerful force, but Speir will still need to articulate a clear and compelling vision to win over voters.
Florida’s 16th district has historically leaned Republican, so the GOP primary will likely be the main battleground. Speir’s ‘bold agenda’ and outsider status could give him an advantage over more establishment candidates.
This race for Florida’s 16th district will be an interesting one to watch. Speir’s pledge to target ‘RINOs’ suggests a hardline conservative approach, which could resonate with some voters but turn off others.
Overall, this race will be one to watch as it unfolds. Speir’s outsider status and hardline approach could make for a lively Republican primary in Florida’s 16th district.
The ‘RINO’ rhetoric suggests Speir is positioning himself as a true conservative alternative to the establishment GOP. This could resonate with some voters but may also limit his appeal to moderates.
The fact that Buchanan is retiring opens up an opportunity for a newcomer like Speir. He’ll need to convince voters that his ‘bold agenda’ is the right path forward for the district.
Speir’s strong showing against the incumbent Buchanan indicates he has a solid base of support. It will be intriguing to see if he can capitalize on that momentum and secure the Republican nomination.
Agreed, his ability to build on that 40% showing will be key. The ‘RINO’ rhetoric could help him rally the base but may limit his appeal in a general election.
It’s notable that Speir is describing his campaign as a ‘continuation’ of his previous run. This suggests he believes he has unfinished business and a clear vision for the district.
That continuity could work in his favor, as voters may appreciate a candidate who is sticking to their principles rather than shifting positions.