With Donald Trump’s support in hand, Sydney Gruters launches run to succeed Vern Buchanan in Congress

Republican Sydney Gruters just launched her campaign for Congress. With President Donald Trump’s endorsement already in hand, she now aims to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.

The wife of Republican National Committee Chair and state Sen. Joe Gruters, Sydney Gruters, said she is ready to run on her own agenda to lower the cost of living and assist seniors and veterans.

“As a working mother of three, I see firsthand how much pressure rising prices are putting on families across Southwest Florida,” Sydney Gruters said. “From groceries and gas to housing and insurance, too many families, seniors, and veterans are being stretched thin. I’m running for Congress to protect our conservative values and fight for the people of this district and give them a strong voice in Washington.”

Trump, in a Truth Social post earlier this month, said Gruters would “fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Military/Veterans, Safeguard our Elections, Champion School Choice, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

She also starts her campaign with the support of Maggie’s List, a committee dedicated to electing conservative women to Congress.

“Sydney Gruters has proven her mettle by working on the frontline for congressional members in the past, as well as her community involvement with various causes, including New College Foundation,” said Maggie’s List Chair Sandra Mortham.

“She will be the People’s Congresswoman, making sure that she represents her constituents first and foremost. I am excited to endorse Sydney for this congressional office.”

The strong political connections immediately set Gruters apart from the Republican Primary field in Florida’s 16th Congressional District. She faces businessman John Peters, Navy veteran Ed Pope and Inspiration Academy founder Eddie Speir in the August fight for the nomination.

Gruters just wrapped her time as Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the New College Foundation, a position she took over shortly after Gov. Ron DeSantis installed a conservative Board of Trustees at the Sarasota honors college.

Before that, Gruters served as District Director to U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, from 2019 through 2023. She also worked as an Operations Director for Buchanan from 2007 to 2017.

Between her stints working for the two Sarasota area Congressmen, Gruters also worked from late 2017 to early 2019 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the Rural Development State Director for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“I’ve spent my career helping people solve problems and get results,” Gruters said. “Southwest Florida deserves a representative who understands this community, shares its values, and will fight every day to lower the cost of living, expand opportunity, and build a stronger future for our families.”

The district leans Republican under its current configuration, which could change after a potential April redistricting effort. In 2024, Buchanan won re-election over Democrat Jan Schneider with 59.5% of the vote, while 57.2% of voters there supported Trump for President.