Over nine terms in the House, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, never acted as a rabble rouser. Even as the Tea Party and MAGA movement wrought waves of emotional charge through the House, the cool-headed Republican kept a steady hand.

But as chaos consumes Congress, Buchanan seems fed up with the shifting landscape. He made clear Friday he won’t go along to get along if that means making the lower chamber a madhouse. After the nihilist wing of his party ousted not one but two leaders who won legitimate conference elections, Buchanan said enough was enough. He voted against Rep. Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican who still emerged a winner but one with an uncertain future. Chaos keeps winning in his caucus, but Buchanan won’t be complicit.

“I don’t like how this has played out,” Buchanan told ABC News’ Ben Siegel.

It’s tempting to say Jordan’s win makes Buchanan a loser. But if there’s anything the last two weeks showed us, every one of the House’s 435 members holds the power to change the course of the nation. Buchanan wielding the power of his vote than most. Indeed, he may hold more influence in this moment than through a past year playing by the rules and jumping through the hoops.

Buchanan, like most House Republicans, started the 118th Congress dutifully supporting U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for Speaker. That came after Buchanan raised more money for House Republicans than anyone not already on McCarthy’s leadership team.

But what came of that? McCarthy, in a two-faced move that would prove emblematic of his nine-month speakership, denied Buchanan chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee. Call it an early entry in a list of promises McCarthy could not or would not keep. The newly minted Speaker instead used his outsized vote on the GOP Steering Committee to hand the most powerful committee gavel to U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, a more junior member of Ways and Means. Buchanan still left that vote with a Health Subcommittee chairmanship and vice chair on Ways and Means, but the grand prize denied.

Still, he remained faithful. When U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton, forced a vote to oust McCarthy, only eight Republicans joined the revolution. Buchanan wasn’t one of them. But he likely shed no tears for the House’s fallen leader when Democrats joined in Gaetz’s coup détat. 

Afterward, Buchanan came out early to endorse Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a close ally Buchanan likely preferred to McCarthy anyway. The process again seemed to work in Buchanan’s favor at first. The Louisiana Republican beat Jordan in a narrow conference vote. But the Freedom Caucus and others wouldn’t accept that outcome.

This may be what happens when we decide losing an election is no reason to concede victory, but that’s a separate column.

A day after Scalise won a conference vote, he withdrew fearful he lacked the votes to succeed on the floor. Jordan won the second conference vote in three days, but with Buchanan joining a whopping 81 Republicans casting protest votes for U.S. Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia. Lawmakers broke for the weekend afraid of taking that mess to the floor.

The cool-headed, it seems, are finally ready to lead a revolution of their own, and Buchanan counterintuitively may hold more sway than ever. He could twist Jordan’s arm to obtain more power in the House if he gives the Freedom Caucus founder a win. Or he could become part of a coalition majority with moderate Democrats and install a different Speaker, be it Scalise or another choice. Whatever happens, count on the new Speaker owing a debt to Buchanan.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA. 

Photo courtesy House.gov.: Rep. Vern Buchanan.

The beautiful city of Sarasota is blessed with many gems, and one of its most precious is undoubtedly New College of Florida. 

Recently, I was confirmed as the President of New College. As I reflected on the journey this past seven months, I felt deep appreciation for the local community, people and organizations that have supported me and New College over these incredibly rewarding and sometimes challenging several months. One of the most important people has been New College's closest neighbor and friend, Rick Piccolo, President of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. 

From the first week I assumed the interim presidency at New College, Rick phoned me directly, extending not only his support and guidance, but offering his unique knowledge to the history of the land surrounding the campus and our shared land. Rick not only identified some of the known and potential future challenges for New College, but he and the team at SMAA have been extraordinary partners in helping to create solutions for our campus expansion and growth.

The opportunity to secure forever New College's physical campus across the street has injected fresh optimism into the school as our student body continues to grow. In partnership with SMAA, New College will be able to improve on-campus housing for students, offer even more diversity in our sports programming, and, while doing so, both forge and foster deeper relationships with our local community and businesses.

President Piccolo's appreciation of New College's value and potential is evident in his commitment to ensuring SMAA's support in our long-term growth. In fact, the conversations between SMAA and New College have been so exceedingly positive and supportive that it's essential to dispel any notion of anything other than collaboration and enthusiasm for our alliance and shared future. 

"President Corcoran is the first President to engage in a substantive dialogue and seek a solution that will address the future land needs of both the college and the airport, and provide fair market returns to the airport for any portion of land that New College secures (as required by Federal Aviation Administration regulations),” said Piccolo. “Without question, New College is one of the most special assets of this city, and the college and its entire student and administrative body, have our unwavering support in their growth.”

We’re fortunate SMAA recognizes New College as an invaluable asset to our region: A gem that enriches the community by providing an exceptional liberal arts education to curious minds from around the world. We look forward to collaborating on upcoming announcements with SMAA that will significantly benefit New College, our growing vision, and this remarkable city and community of Sarasota, that I am proud to be a part of. 

Richard Corcoran is president of New College of Florida. 

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan: Rick Piccolo