Vern Buchanan calls report he might retire soon 'laughable and ridiculous'

Zac Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·1 min read

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is pushing back on a report in Punchbowl News that he could retire in the coming weeks if he doesn't become chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, saying the retirement talk is "laughable and ridiculous."

The Punchbowl News item is attributed to unnamed GOP lawmakers, who told the publication that "if Buchanan loses Ways and Means, he could end up retiring before Jan. 3." The implication is that Buchanan might retire before U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy is selected as House speaker, complicating McCarthy's path to the speakership.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said a news report speculating he might retire soon if he isn't made chair of the House Ways and Means Committee is "laughable and ridiculous."
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said a news report speculating he might retire soon if he isn't made chair of the House Ways and Means Committee is "laughable and ridiculous."

"McCarthy allies are very concerned about Buchanan's potential retirement," according to Punchbowl News.

“I was never contacted for that story but the notion that I would consider resigning is laughable and ridiculous," Buchanan said in a statement. "I’m committed to helping elect Kevin McCarthy Speaker and continue to work every day to earn the support of the Steering Committee to become the next Ways and Means Chairman.”

Buchanan political adviser Max Goodman added that: “Vern’s momentum in becoming Florida’s first committee chairman since 2017 is clearly making some of his competitors nervous."

First elected in 2006, Buchanan has been positioning himself to become Ways and Means chair for years. He is considered a leading contender for the job, but has competition from two other lawmakers. Leading the committee is considered one of the top jobs in the House.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Report says Kevin McCarthy allies worried Vern Buchanan will retire