Turning Point Action endorses Sydney Gruters in CD 16

Turning Point Action is endorsing Sydney Gruters, giving the President Donald Trump-backed Republican more support at the national level as she runs in Florida’s 16th Congressional District.

With the endorsement, Gruters joins U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna as the only Florida Republican congressional candidates backed by Turning Point Action so far this cycle.

“Charlie Kirk built something extraordinary, a movement that brought a new generation of Americans into the conservative cause and changed the direction of this country,” Gruters said in a statement announcing the endorsement. 

“Erika Kirk has carried that mission forward with grace, strength, and conviction. I am deeply honored to earn the endorsement of Turning Point Action, and I will carry that trust into Congress by fighting to lower costs, secure the border, and build a stronger future for Southwest Florida families.” 

Turning Point Action has become a major force through voter-contact programs aimed at mobilizing America First voters. The group’s 2024 field program, Commit 100, contacted more than 552,000 voters through door-knocking, phone calls, texts and postcards, according to the news release.

Gruters has also secured support from conservative women’s organizations, including Maggie’s List, Winning for Women and Value In Electing Women PAC. Other backers include U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other members of House GOP leadership.

The new endorsement comes as Gruters continues working to build momentum across the recently redrawn district, which includes Manatee County and portions of Hardee, DeSoto, Pinellas, Sarasota and Polk counties.

Gruters has paired national conservative support with local law enforcement backing, securing endorsements from all but one Sheriff in the redrawn district. She has earned endorsements from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells, Hardee County Sheriff Vent Crawford and DeSoto County Sheriff Jim Potter. 

Her campaign said she has recently appeared before Republican clubs and grassroots organizations across the district as part of an effort to show that “from Sarasota to St. Petersburg to Arcadia, Gruters has made clear that her campaign will reach every corner of the district.” 

Gruters is a native Floridian and mother of three who most recently served as Executive Director of the New College Foundation. She previously served as District Director for U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, was the State Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands under Trump, and spent more than a decade in U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s congressional offices.

CD 16 is rated “Solid Republican” by The Cook Political Report, making the Republican Primary on Aug. 18 the key contest in the race.