Kelly Kirschner
DFormer Mayor of Sarasota
Won the August 18, 2026 Democratic primary
Kelly Kirschner is a former Mayor and City Commissioner of Sarasota and a nonprofit founder running for the open 16th District seat. He describes himself as a third-generation Floridian and former Peace Corps volunteer.[2]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Positions on the issues
- SupportsExpand public health coverage
Pledges to restore recent federal cuts to Medicaid and Medicare and protect coverage for pre-existing conditions.[2]
“I am running to restore every cut, protect every patient with a pre-existing condition, and make crystal clear to every hospital along the Gulf Coast: we are not abandoning you.”
- SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporations
Says he wants to close loopholes that let corporations and billionaires pay little or no federal tax.[2]
“I'm also passionate about fixing the loopholes that allow corporations and billionaires to pay 0 in taxes while our costs continue to go up.”
- OpposesBroad tariffs on imported goods
Criticizes recent tariff policy as harmful to Florida small businesses, farmers, and fishermen.[2]
“When tariff chaos hammers Florida small and medium-sized businesses, farmers, and fishermen while Wall Street hedges its bets and becomes a casino, that's Washington gambling with someone else's livelihood.”
In their words — priorities
- Says he is running to end price gouging by oil, electric utility, and grocery companies, hold insurance companies accountable, and invest in affordable energy to lower bills.[2]
- Says Congress "just broke that promise" on Medicaid and Medicare, citing loss of healthcare coverage for people in the district, and pledges to restore cuts and protect coverage for pre-existing conditions.[2]
- Says only Congress has the constitutional power to declare war and criticizes Washington leadership for avoiding debate on military engagements.[2]
Background
- Graduated from Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School and Georgetown University (1998); works in higher education administration.[2]
- Served as a Sarasota City Commissioner and later as Mayor of Sarasota, where he says he led passage of local campaign finance reforms approved by more than 80% of voters.[2]
- Founded a nonprofit that he says helps first-generation students attend top universities debt-free.[2]
Campaign money
Raised $297K · spent $216K · $81K cash on hand (through 2026-07-29) FEC filing ↗