Florida Realtors sold on James Buchanan’s SD 22 bid

Florida’s Realtors say James Buchanan should be handed the keys to a Senate seat.

The Florida Realtors PAC is endorsing the Sarasota Republican in Senate District 22. The Representative and longtime real estate agent^[1] remains the only candidate^[2] in the race to succeed Sen. Joe Gruters, who cannot run again because of term limits.

“As a REALTOR, Representative Buchanan understands the unique complexities of the real estate industry, as well as its importance to Florida’s economy,” said Marilyn Pearson-Adams, Chair of the Florida Realtors PAC trustees.

“He has led the way on critical issues during his time in the Florida House and will bring that same experience and expertise to the Florida Senate. We are proud to support him in his candidacy for SD 22.”

The Sarasota Republican last Session served as Chair^[3] of the House Commerce Committee, a position he will hold through this Session as well. He also sits on the House Budget Committee.

First elected to the House in 2018, he has already been endorsed by Gruters^[4], who also serves as Republican National Committee Chair. And Rep. Fiona McFarland, the only other sitting lawmaker living in the Senate district, has also endorsed^[5] Buchanan and made clear she will not run for the seat.

Buchanan was also part of a House leadership team that recently met^[6] with President Donald Trump in the White House and is a close ally of Speaker Daniel Perez.

“Florida’s success as a nationwide, conservative beacon of economic prosperity, individual freedom, and parental empowerment is a result of state leaders willing to brave the critics and do what is right,” Buchanan said when he announced his candidacy.

The district leans heavily Republican, and no Democratic candidate challenged Gruters in 2022. In November, more than 58% of voters in the district supported Trump in the presidential race, while less than 41% backed Democrat Kamala Harris, according to MCI Maps^[7].

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