Sidney Gruters Announces Congressional Candidacy
Just a week after President Donald Trump encouraged her to seek an open Republican seat in Florida, Sidney Gruters, former executive director of the New College Foundation and wife of the Republican National Committee chairman, has officially entered the race.
During her campaign launch on Thursday, Gruters, a mother of three, expressed her concerns about rising costs affecting families in Southwest Florida. “From groceries and gas to housing and insurance, too many families, seniors, and veterans are being squeezed,” she said. “I’m running for Congress to protect conservative values and ensure the people in this district have a strong voice in Washington.”
With Trump’s endorsement, Gruters is seen as a strong candidate to take over from retiring Rep. Vern Buchanan, who has been a prominent figure in the 16th Congressional District. This district, which covers areas from the eastern suburbs of Tampa down to Bradenton, is currently part of a House that Republicans control by a narrow margin of 218-214, making this midterm election particularly critical for them.
On social media, Trump affirmed his support, stating, “Sidney Gruters has my full and complete support if she decides to run this race. Run, Sydney, run!”
Gruters, 44, while not as nationally recognized as her husband, Florida state senator Joe Gruters, has significant local experience and congressional familiarity. She was previously Buchanan’s operations director for a decade and served as district director for Rep. Greg Steube in the neighboring district.
During her time away from Congress, Gruters worked as the USDA’s state director for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands during Trump’s first term.
Before embarking on her congressional campaign, Mr. Gruters completed his term as Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director at the New College Foundation. This position followed a significant change at the university, with a new conservative board introduced by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, transforming its curriculum into a classical education model. Last fall, the university also became one of the first to sign an education agreement supporting Trump’s education priorities.
In her political efforts, Gruters has received backing from Maggie’s List, a group committed to electing conservative women to Congress.
As of now, three other Republicans and three Democrats are also vying to succeed Buchanan. Joe Gruters expressed pride in Sidney’s campaign and noted his personal support for her while clarifying the RNC’s neutrality in the Republican primary.
In the 2024 presidential election, Trump secured 57% of the vote in this district, while Buchanan was re-elected with nearly 60%. However, there are potential changes coming, as Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature is preparing for a special session to address legislative redistricting later this month, which could impact these seats ahead of the midterm elections.
