Sydney Gruters

Brandt is now the sole conservative on the five-member board, which flipped from a 3-2 conservative majority in the August election.

Sydney Gruters, who is married to the chairman of the Republican National Committee, Joe Gruters, defeated Democrat Kelly Kirschner. Vern Buchanan announced in January he would not seek reelection.

A Donald Trump-backed Republican, a self-described "moderate Democrat and fiscal conservative" and a candidate with no party affiliation are vying for a seat representing Florida's 16th Congressional District. Its current occupant, Republican Vern Buchanan, is stepping down after 20 years in Congress.

The candidates vying for Congressional District 16 - held for the past two decades by Vern Buchanan - took part in an online debate Wednesday.

With Buchanan retiring after 20 years in Congress, nine candidates have filed to run in 16th District – three Republicans, five Democrats and one with no party affiliation. A political scientist helps weigh the field.