Ed Pope launches campaign to succeed Vern Buchanan in CD 16

Navy veteran Edward Pope officially launched his campaign to succeed U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.

The Florida Highway Patrol trooper-turned-business executive is pursuing the Republican nomination in Florida’s 16th Congressional District.

“Florida’s 16th District deserves a representative who understands law enforcement, national security, executive leadership, and the real-world consequences of federal policy. It deserves someone who has worn the uniform, balanced budgets, led teams under pressure, and delivered measurable outcomes,” he said. “I bring courage without compromise, experience without excuses, and leadership without ego. I am not running to build a political career — I am running to protect the way of life that makes this country worth fighting for.”

Pope opened a federal campaign account earlier this month and launched his campaign on Friday, he said. That came months after Pope earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Walden University.

Pope is one of three Republicans who filed for the open seat, along with John Peters and Eddie Speir. But he jumped in after President Donald Trump said he would endorse Sydney Gruters, Executive Director of the New College Foundation and wife of Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters, if she ran for the seat.

But Pope said the race won’t be decided by that one move.

“While I respect the process, I believe it may be somewhat premature given that the full field of candidates has not yet been fully established,” he said.

Pope stressed 14 years of law enforcement service across the municipal, county and state levels.

“Throughout my career, I served on the State SWAT Team, as a Firearms Instructor, Field Training Officer, certified Traffic Homicide Investigator, and as a member of the Presidential Protection Team. In the course of my service, I was credited with saving a number of lives in the line of duty,” he said.

“I also hold a unique distinction within the Florida Highway Patrol — I am the only trooper ever

named ‘Trooper of the Month’ three times in a single year for three separate acts of bravery, and twice again the following year. Throughout my career, I was honored as State Trooper of the Year, Troop F Trooper of the Year twice, Charlotte County Trooper of the Year three times, and Southern Regional International Trooper of the Year, an honor presented to me in Washington, D.C.”

He is also chief operating officer of Interstate Courier Services, a Tampa company founded in 2001.

“I oversee complex regulatory compliance, strategic operations, and multimillion-dollar budgets,:” he said. “I understand supply chains, federal regulations, fiscal responsibility, and how policy decisions directly impact businesses and families. I have created jobs, managed risk, and delivered results — not rhetoric.”

The diversity of public and private experience prepares him to serve in Congress, he said.

“Beyond my professional life, I believe strongly in investing in the next generation. I have coached high school baseball and soccer, volunteered with the YMCA and Special Olympics, and supported the Homeless Coalition in strengthening families and serving vulnerable individuals,” he said.

“Strong communities are built through involvement, mentorship, and accountability. Most importantly, I am a devoted husband and father of five. My wife and I adopted two of our children to give them a second chance at opportunity and stability. Today, one is in college and ROTC pursuing a future as an Air Force pilot, and another is studying with aspirations of becoming a medical doctor. My family is not a talking point — it is the reason I fight for safe neighborhoods, economic opportunity, parental rights and constitutional freedoms.”