Politics
Donald Trump wants Joe Gruters to head Republican National Committee
President Donald Trump is endorsing state Sen. Joe Gruters for Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair, a move that significantly reshapes Florida’s politics.
Trump announced his support after the current RNC Chair Michael Whatley announced he would run for Senate in North Carolina. That means he will relinquish his role as head of the national party. But Trump signaled he wants Gruters, a former Republican Party of Florida Chair and the Florida co-chair of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, to take over the party post.
“Fortunately, I have somebody who will do a wonderful job as the Chairman of the RNC,” Trump posted on Truth Social. ”His name is Joe Gruters, and he will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. So, should Michael Whatley run for the Senate, please let this notification represent my Complete and Total Endorsement. He will never let you down!”
Gruters, a Sarasota Republican, said he will pursue the job with the President’s support.
“I’m looking forward to advancing President Trump’s America First agenda as the next Chair of the RNC,” he told Florida Politics. “He is the greatest President in our nation’s history, and I’m ready to serve, fight, and win for our party and our country.”
Gruters currently serves as Treasurer of the RNC, a job he has held while also serving in the Florida Senate and as he runs for Florida Chief Financial Officer. But sources close to Gruters say if he wins the job of RNC Chair, he will abandon his statewide run in Florida.
Notably, Gov. Ron DeSantis recently passed over Gruters for an appointment to the CFO role, instead choosing state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, a Republican from Spring Hill. Moreover, he trashed Gruters at the time as an insufficiently conservative choice, while Gruters’ campaign team committed to challenging Ingoglia for the Cabinet position.
While that appeared to set the groundwork for one of the most bruising statewide Republican Primaries in Florida in 2026, the likely ascension of Gruters to RNC Chair likely diffuses the battle between a Trump-endorsed candidate and one appointed by DeSantis.
Gruters has been involved in party politics for years, serving as Vice Chair of the state party before becoming Chair. He also served as the Republican Party of Sarasota Chair for years. After he decided not to seek a third term as state GOP Chair, he was quickly elected as National Committee member for the state, and elected as RNC Treasurer shortly afterward.
Florida figures quickly rallied around Gruters after Trump endorsed him for RNC Chair.
The Republican Party of Florida, now led by state Chair Evan Power, released a statement on social media: “Florida leads the way! President Donald Trump just gave his Complete and Total Endorsement to Joe Gruters for RNC Chairman. As our former Chairman, we know he has what it takes to bring the GOP to new heights. He’s proven, tested, and ready to lead!”
The Republican Party of Sarasota also praised the choice. “President Donald Trump hit another home run today when he announced his endorsement of Sen. Joe Gruters to be the new Republican National Committee Chairman with the expected resignation of current Chairman Michael Whatley to run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina,” the county party statement reads.
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis, who left as Chief Financial Officer to run for Congress and had endorsed Gruters as a successor, welcomed the news.
“What a huge moment for the RNC to get a leader like Senator Joe Gurters. He knows how we win in Florida. He’s fiercely loyal to President Trump and he will settle for nothing short of landslide victory in the 2026 midterms,” Patronis posted.
U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, a recently elected Republcian who worked closely with Gruters in the Legislature, cheered the choice.
“I couldn’t be prouder of my friend Joe Gruters being named by Donald Trump the next Chairman of the GOP,” Fine posted. “Joe was the first major figure in Florida to get behind Trump in 2016 — and had the courage to stand up and do the same in 2024. Joe, you are going to do great!!!”
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The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
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