Margaret Good takes on Buchanan, Trump turnout machine for Congressional District 16

SARASOTA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Florida House member Margaret Good is running to expand the Democratic advantage in Congress. Sarasota will be at the center of this 2020 political showdown.

She has proven she can beat a name like Buchanan in a Republican district. She won a 2018 special election in Florida House District 72 against James Buchanan. That same district was won by President Trump by four points in 2016.

Now she's aiming for Washington, going up against James' father, Vern Buchanan (R-Longboat Key) in an even bigger, more Republican 16th District, which stretches from Sarasota to rural Hillsborough. 

The Cook Political Report says the district is about 7% more Republican than Democrat.

"There is no one who knows me who doesn't say I am up for a tough fight," Good acknowledged in an interview with FOX 13 News Monday.

Last year, Vern Buchanan won his seventh straight race, this time by 10 points. He also has the benefit of the 2020 Trump turnout machine, which is heavily focused on District 16.

The Daily Kos says Trump won the 16th District by 10 points in 2016.

Good, however, isn't looking to the past. She said she plans to focus on what unites the people of her district -- environmental issues, especially the impacts of red tide.

"I think there is more that unites us than divides us. I have always focused on finding the things that unite us," she explained.

Good told FOX 13 News, she is not taking a position on whether the president should be impeached, arguing more information is needed. 

When asked if she was insulted by the president saying four Democratic congresswomen hate America, Good said, "Yes, but I don't think that is the ultimate issue."

"The ultimate issue is, we have all this divisive rhetoric in Washington that needs to stop," Good said.

She is also staking out positions considered moderate compared to the progressive wing of the Democratic party. When asked whether she supports so-called Medicare for all, she said if a policy fits onto a bumper sticker, it's probably not something she supports.

However, it's worth noting that her twitter handle is @goodforflorida -- -a bumper sticker slogan she hopes catches on.