Scott Powers
A second Republican candidate, political newcomer, banker and veteran Sean A. Buchan of Winter Haven, has entered the race for Florida’s 9th Congressional District.
Buchan, 31, a banker with Wells Fargo Bank in Winter Haven, filed to run late last week, joining last year’s GOP nominee Wayne Liebnitzky of St. Cloud in hoping to take down Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto in the 2018 election.
“The time is right,” Buchan stated of his entry into politics.
Married with two children, Buchan spent eight years in the U.S. Marines and two in the Army, and served two tours in Iraq.
His top concern is the economy which he described as “doing better, but not well enough,” particularly in Polk and Osceola counties, which he said are in need of across-the-board jobs from technical trades to high-tech.
He also stressed national security as a critical concern, and expressed a strong desire for tax reform that simplifies the system for tax payers.
CD 9 includes most of south Orange County, all of Osceola and much of eastern Polk. Last year Soto, a former state senator, defeated Liebnitzky, to replace two-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson. Liebnitzky won in Polk but Soto handily carried the vote in the other two counties.
Buchan said he’s currently reaching out to county Republican executive committees and Young Republican clubs to begin pulling together support and organization.
