Combat veteran Jon Harris enters race to succeed Vern Buchanan in CD 16

Combat veteran and cybersecurity professional Jon Harris has entered the race for Florida’s 16th Congressional District, positioning himself as a champion for working families, veterans and government accountability.

Harris, a Democrat, aims to succeed longtime Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan of Longboat Key, who recently announced his retirement from office. Harris, Glenn Pearson and Jan Schneider will face each other during the Democratic Primary.

John Peters is currently the only Republican who has filed for the race, but speculation about other potential Republican candidates has already begun. No-party candidates Mark Davis and Keith Varian have also filed to run for the seat. Florida’s 16th Congressional District covers Manatee County and parts of Hillsborough.

Harris, who served as an infantryman with the 101st Airborne Division, cites nearly two decades of military service and a belief that Washington has lost touch with the needs of everyday families in the region as reasons for his candidacy.

“I’ve spent my adult life serving this country, on the battlefield and at home,” Harris said. “I’m running for Congress because Florida families deserve leaders who understand sacrifice, take responsibility seriously and put people before politics.”

Harris enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 20 and deployed to Iraq, where he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Army Achievement Medal. He continued his service in the Army Reserve after leaving active duty, retraining as an information technology specialist and later advancing to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. His military career includes deployments to Afghanistan, Qatar and Kuwait, supporting operations across the Middle East.

Harris currently serves as a senior information security adviser for the U.S. Special Operations Command.

In addition to his military service, Harris has built a civilian career in cybersecurity and information technology, working with companies including Raymond James Financial and ARMA Global. He holds a bachelor’s degree in information technology and management, with a focus on database analytics and cybersecurity.

Now living in Riverview with his wife, Jessica, and their two daughters, Harris said his campaign will focus on economic security, healthcare, support for veterans and restoring trust in government.

“Too many families are working harder and falling further behind,” Harris said. “We need a government that listens, leads with integrity and actually gets things done. That’s the kind of leadership I’ve practiced my whole life, and that’s what I’ll bring to Congress.”