Kelly
Kirschner
Democratic candidate Kelly Kirschner challenges for Florida's open FL-16 House seat in November 2026
- sources
- 19
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 21
Background
Kelly Kirschner is the Democratic Party candidate for U.S. House District 16 (FL-16) in the November 2026 general election. He grew up in the Sarasota-Manatee area and earned a BS in Foreign Service and an MA in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University. 135
Before entering politics, Kirschner served as a Returned Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and later co-founded the local nonprofit UnidosNow. He also served as vice president and dean of executive and continuing education at Eckerd College, with reporting noting he continued as a consultant for the college after that role. 13511
Kirschner previously served as a Sarasota City Commissioner (elected 2007, through 2011) and as Mayor of Sarasota (2010–2011), the latter a role held within his commission service. The FL-16 seat is an open seat, vacated by Republican Vern Buchanan. 31112
A September 2026 internal poll showed Kirschner and Republican opponent Sydney Gruters in a dead heat, and national Democrats placed the district on their map for retaking the House. Kirschner has emphasized grassroots fundraising, reporting $0 from corporate PACs in his first fundraising week. 21013
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 16, Florida
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Democratic candidate for U.S. House, Florida District 16
- Website
- kellykirschner.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 7endorsementDemocratic Rep. Lois Frankel endorses Kirschner in FL-16 race
Politico reported that U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel (D) endorsed Kelly Kirschner in the FL-16 general election, as noted in the Florida Playbook newsletter's coverage of health care as a midterm factor.
The midterms' health care factor - POLITICO · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1pollPublic Policy Polling survey shows Kirschner at 39%, Gruters at 43% among registered voters
A Public Policy Polling survey of 530 registered voters conducted around October 1–2 showed Gruters leading Kirschner 43% to 39%, inconsistent with the earlier campaign-reported internal poll showing Kirschner ahead by one point.
2026 Florida District 16 U.S. House Election: Polls, Candidates, Money & Dates | Election.org · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsRep. Lauren Underwood headlines Kirschner fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
WSLR reported that U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood headlined a fundraiser for Kirschner in Lakewood Ranch. The campaign said the DCCC had provided fundraising help and digital infrastructure but not direct money; no PAC money or outside-group ad spending was reported for Kirschner at that time.
Key national figure visits Kirschner for Congress fundraiser · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25pollKirschner releases internal poll showing one-point lead; district described as leaning R by 13 pts
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay reported Kirschner released an internal poll showing him ahead of Gruters by one point. The district is described as leaning Republican by 13 points. The poll's field dates, sample size, and methodology were not publicly reported.
Tampa Bay's Congressional District 16 could be a lot less red than ... · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24debateKirschner, Gruters, and Davis spar in virtual League of Women Voters forum
All three FL-16 general-election candidates appeared in a virtual League of Women Voters forum. Topics included affordability, data centers, immigration, disaster-recovery rules, and Social Security. Kirschner argued for protecting the ACA and called ICE raids 'political theater.'
Candidates to replace Vern Buchanan in Congress spar in an ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24filingKirschner formally listed as qualified for the November 3 general election ballot
A candidate-tracking summary based on a Florida Division of Elections extract listed Kirschner as qualified for the November 3 general election ballot following his primary win.
Kelly Kirschner (D) — U.S. Representative, FL-16 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18pollPoll commissioned by Kirschner campaign shows 'dead heat' with Republican Gruters
WSLR reported that an internal poll commissioned by Kirschner's campaign showed the race as a 'dead heat' with Republican Sydney Gruters. The poll lacked publicly reported methodology details.
In these elections, party lines are blurring - WSLR+Fogartyville · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 17newsBradenton Times editorial urges voters to 'vote the person, not the party' amid FL-16 race
The Bradenton Times published a piece reflecting on the blurring of party lines in the FL-16 race, in the context of Republicans endorsing Kirschner.
Vote the Person, Not the Party - The Bradenton Times · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16endorsementKirschner campaign issues statement touting cross-party Republican endorsements
Kirschner's campaign published a press release highlighting the 'Republicans for Kirschner' coalition, which included local Republican officeholders and community leaders crossing party lines to back the Democrat.
Prominent Republicans Cross Party Lines to Endorse Democrat ... · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15endorsement'Republicans for Kirschner' group publicly backs Democrat at Bradenton event
A group called 'Republicans for Kirschner,' including former U.S. Rep. Dan Miller and Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse, publicly endorsed Kirschner at a Bradenton event on September 15, as reported on September 21.
Manatee Republicans break from party, endorse Democrats in upcoming election · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18newsKirschner wins Democratic primary for FL-16 with ~43% in five-candidate field
Kelly Kirschner won the Democratic primary for Florida's 16th Congressional District with approximately 43% of the vote in a five-candidate field, securing his spot in the general election.
Kelly Kirschner (D) – FL-16 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18newsKirschner campaign reports raising $100,000 in first 36 hours after primary win
According to a campaign-reported figure, Kirschner raised $100,000 in the 36 hours immediately following his August 18 primary victory.
Kelly Kirschner (D) – FL-16 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus organizationListed as an endorser on the campaign homepage; no separate announcement date provided. kellykirschner.com
- Florida Alliance for Retired Americans organizationListed as an endorser on the campaign homepage; no separate announcement date provided. kellykirschner.com
- Dave Trott, former U.S. Representative officialListed as an endorser in a campaign press release dated May 14, 2026; no individual endorsement date given. kellykirschner.com
- Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida organizationListed as an endorser on the campaign homepage; no separate announcement date provided. kellykirschner.com
- Social Security Works organizationListed as an endorser on the campaign homepage; no separate announcement date provided. kellykirschner.com
- Kent Conrad, former U.S. Senator officialListed as an endorser in a campaign press release dated May 14, 2026; no individual endorsement date given. kellykirschner.com
- Florida High School Democrats organizationListed as an endorser on the campaign homepage; no separate announcement date provided. kellykirschner.com
- Florida Democratic Party Jewish Caucus Board organizationListed as an endorser on the campaign homepage; no separate announcement date provided. kellykirschner.com
- Florida Veterans for Common Sense organizationListed as an endorser on the campaign homepage; no separate announcement date provided. kellykirschner.com
- Rick Kriseman, former St. Petersburg Mayor officialListed as one of Kirschner's earliest endorsers in a campaign press release dated May 14, 2026; no individual endorsement date given. kellykirschner.com
- Sierra Club organizationListed as an endorser on the campaign homepage; no separate announcement date provided. kellykirschner.com
- West Central Florida Labor Council unionListed as an endorser on the campaign homepage; no separate announcement date provided. kellykirschner.com
- National Organization for Women organizationListed as an endorser on the campaign homepage; no separate announcement date provided. kellykirschner.com
- Tampa Bay Times newspaperListed among sources covering the race; the Tampa Bay Times published its congressional recommendations on October 9, 2026. tampabay.com · Oct 9, 2026
- Lois Frankel, U.S. Representative (FL-22) officialSaid: 'Kelly Kirschner knows that good government starts close to home' and 'I know firsthand what it takes to go from City Hall to Congress, and Kelly has what it takes.' politico.com · Oct 7, 2026
- The Bradenton Times newspaperRecommended Kirschner for U.S. House District 16 in its election endorsements editorial published September 18, 2026. thebradentontimes.com · Sep 18, 2026
- Judy Titsworth, Holmes Beach Mayor officialParticipated in Republicans for Kirschner event on September 15, 2026. thebradentontimes.com · Sep 15, 2026
- George Kruse, Manatee County Commissioner (Republicans for Kirschner coalition co-leader) officialCo-led Republicans for Kirschner coalition; publicly backed Kirschner at an event on September 15, 2026. thebradentontimes.com · Sep 15, 2026
- Dan Miller, former U.S. Representative (Republicans for Kirschner coalition co-leader) officialLed Republicans for Kirschner coalition; publicly backed Kirschner at an event on September 15, 2026. thebradentontimes.com · Sep 15, 2026
- B.J. Bishop, Longboat Key Town Commissioner officialParticipated in Republicans for Kirschner event on September 15, 2026. thebradentontimes.com · Sep 15, 2026
- Florida AFL-CIO unionEndorsed Kirschner in its 2026 congressional slate, announced June 16, 2026. flaflcio.org · Jun 16, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $297K
- Spent
- $216K
- Cash on hand
- $81K
As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL16158(opens in a new tab)
Sources 19
- [1] Kelly Kirschner (D) – FL-16 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Kelly Kirschner for U.S. Congress - FL 16 - Let's Fix This(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [3] Our picks for U.S. House of Representatives(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] The midterms' health care factor - POLITICO(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] 2026 Florida District 16 U.S. House Election: Polls, Candidates, Money & Dates | Election.org(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [6] Key national figure visits Kirschner for Congress fundraiser(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [7] Congressional candidates debate healthcare, immigration and more(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [8] Tampa Bay's Congressional District 16 could be a lot less red than ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [9] Candidates to replace Vern Buchanan in Congress spar in an ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [10] Kelly Kirschner (D) — U.S. Representative, FL-16 | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [11] Manatee Republicans break from party, endorse Democrats in upcoming election(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [12] For U.S. Congressional District 16, TBT recommends Kelly Kirschner(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [13] In these elections, party lines are blurring - WSLR+Fogartyville(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [14] Vote the Person, Not the Party - The Bradenton Times(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [15] Prominent Republicans Cross Party Lines to Endorse Democrat ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [16] Area Republicans rally for Democrat Kirschner against Trump ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
- [17] District 16 congressional race: Kelly Kirschner - Sarasota(opens in a new tab) Jul 11, 2026
- [18] Florida AFL-CIO Releases First Slate of Candidate ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 16, 2026
- [19] Gulf Coast grassroots candidate raised $100,000 in 1 week.(opens in a new tab) May 14, 2026