Florida's 17th congressional district is an electoral district for the U.S. Congress, located in Southwest Florida. In the 2020 redistricting cycle, the district was shrunk to only include the coastal counties of Sarasota and Charlotte as well as northeastern Lee County, including most of Lehigh Acres. Other inland counties which were previously in the district were instead redistricted into the new 18th district.
The 17th district was created as a result of the redistricting cycle after the 1980 census. From 2003 to 2013 it was a majority African American district including the southern parts of Broward County and the eastern parts of Miami-Dade County. Included within the district were Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, and North Miami. Most of this district is now the 24th district.
After the 2010 census and its corresponding redistricting cycle, the district included portions of the previous 12th and 16th districts. Most of the district's territory came from the western portion of the old 16th. After court-ordered redistricting for the 2016 elections, the district included a large area of central Florida from eastern Tampa Bay to the western shores of Lake Okeechobee, including all of Charlotte County, DeSoto County, Glades County, Hardee County, Highlands County and Okeechobee County, plus parts of Lee County, Polk County and Sarasota County. Major cities in the district included North Port, Punta Gorda, Venice, Wauchula, Arcadia, and Okeechobee.
As of 2024, the district is the oldest in the United States, with a median age of 55.3.U.S. Census Bureau. "Age and Sex." American Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S0101, https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2024.S0101?q=median+age&g=010XX00US$5000000. Accessed on 18 Mar 2026.
Republican Tom Rooney, incumbent congressman of the previous 16th district, ran for reelection in the 17th in 2012 and won. He was re-elected in 2014 and 2016, but did not run for re-election in 2018. Greg Steube was elected on November 6.
Recent election results from statewide races Year Office ResultsThe Downballot: Florida 2024 pres-by-CD 2008 PresidentMcCain 51% - 48%2010 SenateRubio 48% - 12% GovernorScott 54% - 46% Attorney GeneralBondi 57% - 35% Chief Financial OfficerAtwater 60% - 31%2012 PresidentRomney 55% - 45% SenateNelson 51% - 49%2014 GovernorScott 54% - 46%2016 PresidentTrump 56% - 40% SenateRubio 58% - 38%2018 SenateScott 56% - 43% GovernorDeSantis 56% - 42% Attorney GeneralMoody 59% - 39% Chief Financial OfficerPatronis 59% - 41%2020 PresidentTrump 58% - 42%2022 SenateRubio 63% - 36% GovernorDeSantis 64% - 35% Attorney GeneralMoody 66% - 34% Chief Financial OfficerPatronis 65% - 35%2024 PresidentTrump 62% - 38% SenateScott 62% - 37%
Composition For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST12/CD118_FL17.pdf
Charlotte County (10)
All 10 communities
Lee County (10)
Alva, Charleston Park, Buckingham, Fort Myers Shores, Lehigh Acres (part; also 19th), North Fort Myers (part; also 19th), Olga, Palmona Park, Suncoast Estates, Tice, Verandah
Sarasota County (31)
All 31 communities
List of members representing the district Representative Party Years Congress Electoral history Congressional map District created January 3, 1983 William Lehman Democratic January 3, 1983 –January 3, 1993 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1982.Re-elected in 1984.Re-elected in 1986.Re-elected in 1998.Re-elected in 1990.Retired. 1983–1993 Carrie Meek Democratic January 3, 1993 –January 3, 2003 Elected in 1992.Re-elected in 1994.Re-elected in 1996.Re-elected in 1998.Re-elected in 2000.Retired. 1993–2003 Kendrick Meek Democratic January 3, 2003 –January 3, 2011 Elected in 2002.Re-elected in 2004.Re-elected in 2006.Re-elected in 2008.Retired to run for U.S. senator. 2003–2013 Frederica Wilson Democratic January 3, 2011 –January 3, 2013 Elected in 2010.Redistricted to the . Tom Rooney Republican January 3, 2013 –January 3, 2019 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 2012.Re-elected in 2014.Re-elected in 2016.Retired. 2013–2017 2017–2023 Greg Steube Republican January 3, 2019 –present Elected in 2018.Re-elected in 2020.Re-elected in 2022.Re-elected in 2024. 2023–2027
Election results 2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
References
External links
Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present