Gruters, Kirschner win primaries in Florida’s 16th Congressional District
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GULFPORT, Fla. — The November race for Florida’s newly drawn 16th Congressional District is set.
Republican Sydney Gruters and Democrat Kelly Kirschner won their party primaries Tuesday, setting up a November 3 matchup for the seat vacated by longtime Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan.
WATCH: Gruters, Kirschner win primaries in Florida’s 16th Congressional District
Gruters won the Republican nomination with nearly two-thirds of the vote, defeating Eddie Speir and Ed Pope.
Kirschner, a former Sarasota mayor, won the Democratic nomination with just over 43% in a five-way primary.
The newly drawn district stretches across six counties and includes both urban and rural communities like St. Pete, Bradenton, Wauchula, Fort Meade, Myakka City, and Arcadia.
Nationally, Florida's new congressional map is expected to give Republicans an advantage in several districts. Demo…