State Rep. James Buchanan, R-Sarasota, just threw down the gauntlet on maybe the most important local race of the 2026 election cycle in the region. The four-term House member filed to succeed state Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, in Senate District 22.

This could become the hottest race around. Or it could be a sleeper. The first big test will be if Buchanan’s name and clout with voters keeps other serious contenders from throwing their hats in the ring.

I hear mixed opinion whether he can muscle anyone from even filing, but there’s no question the Buchanan name means a lot here. Buchanan served in the House, longer than any sitting Sarasota lawmaker, and his resume will continue to grow as part of Speaker Danny Perez’s leadership team. He has shown strong policy literacy in environmental and economic issues along the way. 

There’s also the fact his father, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, has represented some part of the Sarasota-Bradenton area for nearly 20 years in Congress.

That means not only a familiarity with voters used to bubbling beside the Buchanan name, but a political donor network with connections in Tallahassee and Washington.

But there’s reason to think Buchanan won’t win without a fight. Open state Senate seats don’t pop up every day. Whoever wins the seat in 2026 will likely be there eight to 10 years.

The most obvious contender would be state Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota. She’s starting her third term, and unlike Buchanan won her elections in a swing seat. That means more cash was spent and more doors were knocked to ensure voters knew her name. She brings policy expertise as well, particularly on digital privacy and child welfare. 

And she also has a family with Washington connections. Mother K.T. McFarland worked in Donald Trump’s first administration after running for U.S. Senate in New York and remains a regular contributor on Fox News. A look at Fiona McFarland’s social media feed shows the Trump-world cred garnered recent invites to Mar-a-Lago at a time when everyone wants to visit the incoming president.

Both candidates have their own negatives. Buchanan tried coasting on his father’s name once to disastrous results, losing a Sarasota House race to Democrat Margaret Good in 2018. That’s the district where McFarland first won election to the House in 2020. But McFarland has necessarily broadcast a moderate image in her Sarasota seat, while Buchanan touted conservative credentials that matter to south Sarasota and Manatee voters. The Senate race will effectively be decided in a Republican primary.

There’s another X factor: the timing of the election. There’s a non-zero chance Gruters leaves the Senate earlier than expected. Jimmy Patronis will leave the Cabinet post of Chief Financial Officer in April, and Gruters already filed to run for that job in 2026. Gov. Ron DeSantis will appoint someone to serve out the last 20-plus months of Patronis’ term.

Will Gruters get the job early? The senator and DeSantis haven’t always enjoyed the best relationship. But Gruters boasts endorsements from Trump and Patronis, so appointing Gruters would arguably be a politically easy move. Most expect DeSantis to favor a loyalist for that job, but if he picks Gruters, a Special Election for the local Senate seat would happen this year.

Buchanan by filing can already raise money for a run. That may be especially important come March, when the Legislative Session bars both he and McFarland from raising money for a state office. If McFarland — or anyone else — is pondering a challenge, the time is now.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor to SRQ MEDIA. 

Photo courtesy Florida House: State Rep. James Buchanan.

At Visit Sarasota County, we often ask visitors, “How did you hear about our area?” For many, the answer lies in a family member or friend’s recommendation, sparking a first visit that evolves into repeat trips and, for some, even relocation. This word-of-mouth influence is among the most powerful drivers of travel and life changes, though it’s also one of the hardest to cultivate.

Over the past few years, we’ve taken a critical look at how to earn this endorsement. Not surprisingly, we’ve found that people don’t want to be sold to – they want to be educated and entertained, especially through local personalities and storytelling. 

This thinking has been the basis of our new sponsorship program. In the past, deciding what to sponsor was a tricky challenge, as we needed a way to make the selection fair while also ensuring every agreement was valuable for tourism. In the Spring of 2024, our Board of Directors approved a new process to ensure our sponsorships expand our spheres of influence, speak directly to our audiences, and center the lived experiences of our residents. 

That approval enabled us to work with two local ambassadors throughout 2024. 

In July of this year, we officially launched this program with the signing of our first-ever Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Emma Weyant, a local swimmer who competed and medaled in the 2024 Summer Olympics. In the months since, we’ve featured her Sarasota story – from swimming for the Sarasota Sharks to her favorite hangout spots – to promote our home as the perfect place to train, compete, and live. 

Even as an accomplished Olympian, Emma is relatable, welcoming, and – critical for our efforts – a hometown hero with a story to share. We continue to learn so much from this partnership, in many ways viewing it as a precedent for future initiatives with other local ambassadors. 

While Emma represents how we’re leveraging sports to generate interest near and far about our destination, we’re also celebrating our region’s identity as Florida’s Cultural Coast by supporting our youngest musicians on the world stage.  

Recently, we sponsored two local high school bands – the Riverview High School Kiltie Band and Venice High School Band – ahead of their performance at the New Year’s Day Parade in London. Each of these schools has a celebrated tradition of musical excellence that’s cherished by our community – so much so, families choose to move here for these very programs. Heading to London was a unique moment for these musicians as they shared their talents with an audience of over 500,000,000 watching across the globe. 

Leading up to their visit, we collaborated with both bands to produce a video that captured their excitement and passion for the arts. Their personal testimonials of growing up here and feeling support for their creative endeavors was music to our ears. We plan on using this video for the foreseeable future as we speak with Arts & Culture enthusiasts and potential residents about how Sarasota is where the next generation can practice, perform, and pursue their career in the arts. 

By investing in our community, we’re empowering locals to share their pride in Sarasota – a genuine enthusiasm no ad or sponsorship can replicate. This inspires visitors to come, stay, and build connections of their own. By focusing on meaningful engagement, we’re not just strengthening our community but ensuring Sarasota remains a place people love to recommend.

Erin Duggan, CDME, is President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County.  

Photo courtesy Visit Sarasota County: Riverview High Kiltie Band.

As New College moves into the new year, our students are already hard at work in one of the signature aspects of our unique academic program. The month of January is our Independent Study Project (ISP) term, meaning students are wholly devoted to one thorough academic endeavor.

Every student at New College, whether they attend for all four years or transfer in from another institution, must complete three ISPs before graduating. ISPs come in a variety of forms. Some are conducted in small group settings, while others are truly individualized and personally tailored by students in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some ISPs have long histories and are offered annually, but each year there are unique offerings. Some take place largely in the classroom and are heavy on reading, others are rooted in experiential learning.

The foundation of New College’s commitment to ISPs is our insistence on the importance of undergraduate research. Every New College graduate completes a senior honors thesis as a capstone to their studies. The ISPs throughout their college career are important for building the background in conducting wide-ranging research.

Not every ISP is designed or taught by a faculty member, but every ISP is sponsored by a faculty member who ensures its rigor meets appropriate standards. Many ISPs include instruction from community members or alumni who are experts in their field, and students are also welcome to design their ISPs. The faculty sponsor examines the process and outcomes required to satisfy the ISP requirement.

In addition to being rigorous, ISPs encapsulate the intellectual exploration that is possible at New College. Interdisciplinary study is a key tenet of our classical liberal arts curriculum, and students are encouraged to consider ISPs that don’t directly relate to the degree they are pursuing. The ability to process complex ideas and examine texts outside their primary field strengthens their education.

The ISP term is also a key time for students to connect one-on-one with our dedicated faculty. One of the best values of studying at a small liberal arts college is the opportunity to form lasting connections with faculty mentors, rather than being siphoned off to work with and learn from teaching assistants. Whether an ISP is in a small group format taught by an instructor or a student designs their own by working with a faculty advisor, January is a time for building student/faculty bonds.

The topics of this year’s ISPs are as wide-ranging as ever before. Among them are studies on the environmental toxicology of Sarasota Bay, podcast production, sporting event facility management, Plato’s Republic, and community-based archaeology through the virtual preservation of historically meaningful sites.  

The new year is full of promise for New College and our community, and there is no better way to begin than with our students immersed in independent study.

Richard Corcoran is president of New College of Florida. 

Photo courtesy New College.