Democrat Margaret Good announced Tuesday morning that her campaign for Congress has raised more than $135,000 in the first 24 hours of her candidacy. Good officially entered the 2020 race for Florida’s 16th Congressional District on Monday.
The seat, considered to be a Republican stronghold, is currently held held by seven-term incumbent, Vern Buchanan. A release sent out by Good’s campaign Tuesday morning says the $135,426 raised thus far proves Good “has what it takes to compete in a tough district.”
“I’m incredibly grateful for the massive outpouring of grassroots support our campaign has received. It’s clear that people are hungry for new leadership and a Congressperson that will actually take on the real issues that individuals and families are facing in this district. From water quality to public education to health care, we deserve better and can’t wait any longer,” Good said.
Good attracted national attention when she defeated Buchanan’s son, James Buchanan, in a special election for the Florida House of Representatives in February 2018. Good won the seat by 7.4 points — a 21-point swing from the previous state house election. It’s a district that voted for the last three GOP presidential nominees. She would later go on to win re-election in November of that same year.
The 16th Congressional District includes parts of Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties.
Despite her success in the Florida House, Good faces an uphill climb in trying to knock off Buchanan, who has held-off a series of well-funded Democratic challengers over the years.
Buchanan’s toughest race was his first one in 2006 against Sarasota banker Christine Jennings. He won that contest by just 369 votes after a recount. He beat Jennings again in 2008, defeated former Sarasota state Rep. Keith Fitzgerald in 2012 and last year bested Siesta Key attorney David Shapiro.
Buchanan’s margin of victory has grown in each of the four competitive races he has faced. He won by nine percentage points against Shapiro in a district that Trump carried by double digits.
Buchanan has an extensive political network built up over 13 years in office. He is one of the wealthiest members of Congress. He made his wealth in the printing business and went on to invest in car dealerships and real estate.
Buchanan has $517,000 on hand in his campaign accounts. He still owes himself $250,000 for a loan he made his campaign in last year’s election.
Good, 42, is married without children. She works for the politically connected law firm of Matthews Eastmoore. After college, Good worked for the United Way and the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park, before beginning a career in the law.