Anna Paulina Luna endorses Sydney Gruters’ run for CD 16

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is backing Sydney Gruters in her campaign for Florida’s 16th Congressional District.

Luna, who represents Florida’s 13th Congressional District, endorsed Gruters at the Republican Party of Pinellas County’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner, where more than 400 Republican leaders gathered.

“Sydney Gruters has my complete and total endorsement,” Luna said.

“She is a mom, a patriot, a proven conservative, and a fighter who has spent her career delivering real results for Southwest Florida. President Trump endorsed her because he knows she will stand with him to secure our border, lower the cost of living, and put America First. I look forward to working with Sydney in Washington to take on the swamp and deliver for the great people of Pinellas County, and I urge every conservative in this district to stand with her.” 

The Saturday endorsement gives Gruters another show of support from a Pinellas County conservative. CD 16 was redrawn to include southern Pinellas County as part of statewide redistricting efforts, pulling in some areas that were previously in Luna’s CD 13.

“Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna is a mom, a veteran, and one of the strongest America First voices in Congress,” Gruters said.

“Her endorsement means a great deal to me because she knows what it takes to fight for this region and deliver for the people she represents. I look forward to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her in Washington to secure the border, lower costs, and fight for the families, seniors, veterans, and small businesses of Pinellas County.”

The endorsement comes as Gruters continues to consolidate support in the Republican Primary for the open CD 16 seat. She has already been endorsed by President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, House Speaker Mike Johnson, other members of House Republican leadership, and several conservative organizations, including Maggie’s List, Winning for Women, Value In Electing Women PAC, and Turning Point Action.

Gruters has also earned support from local public safety leaders, including endorsements from Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, Hardee County Sheriff Vent Crawford and DeSoto County Sheriff Jim Potter.

The Suncoast Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, the St. Petersburg Firefighters Association and the Hardee County Professional Firefighters have also endorsed her in the race.

Before Gruters’ work as Executive Director of the New College Foundation, she served as District Director for U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, and as State Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands under Trump. She also spent more than a decade in U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s congressional offices. Gruters is also married to Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters.

The redrawn district includes Manatee County and parts of Pinellas, DeSoto, Hardee, Polk and Sarasota counties. Gruters faces Navy veteran Ed Pope and Inspiration Academy founder Eddie Speir in the GOP Primary, scheduled for Aug. 18.