Florida's 16th Congressional race highlights urban-rural divide among voters
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A newly redrawn congressional district, the retirement of longtime U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, and growing national interest in control of the U.S. House have combined to make Florida's 16th Congressional District one of the state's most closely watched political races.
The district underwent significant changes after Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a mid-decade redistricting plan that reshaped political boundaries across parts of the state. The new District 16 now stretches from Florida's Gulf Coast deep inland and includes parts of six counties, bringing South St. Petersburg into a district long represented by Republicans.
WATCH: Florida's 16th Congressional race highlights urban-rural divide among voters
The district covers Manatee County entirely, along with parts of Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, DeSoto, and Hardee.
Political analysts say the changes have created a more competitive political landscape as candidates vie to replace Buchanan, who announced his retirement af…