Republican Sydney Gruters raised more than $100,000 in less than five hours after launching her run for Congress. She also picked up support from U.S. Sen. Rick Scott as she makes her first bid for office.
“I’m deeply humbled by the overwhelming support our campaign has received in these first few hours,” Gruters said. “Southwest Florida families want conservative leadership that understands the pressure they’re under, will fight rising costs, protect affordability, and go to Washington focused on solving problems, not making them worse.”
The former New College Foundation director cracked the six-figure mark rapidly after rumors of a potential run were confirmed. In addition to her own work at the Sarasota university and in congressional offices for U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Greg Steube, she is married to Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters.
Shortly after Sydney Gruters filed, Scott, a Naples Republican and ally of Joe Gruters, endorsed her candidacy.
“Sydney Gruters is an America-first conservative who will fight every day for the people of Florida’s 16th Congressional District!” Scott said. “I’m proud to support her, and I know she will do a great job!”
Sydney Gruters also has a critical endorsement from President Donald Trump, who publicly encouraged her to enter the race. She also has the endorsement of Maggie’s List, a group dedicated to elected conservative women to Congress.
She is currently one of four Republicans running to succeed Buchanan, who is retiring. Gruters faces businessman John Peters, Navy veteran Ed Pope and Inspiration Academy founder Eddie Speir in the August fight for the nomination.
Speir is the only candidate to file his first-quarter reports to date. He has raised more than $24,000 in total, and closed March with less than $19,000 in cash on hand.
The April announcement means Gruters will not file her first financial reports until after June.
