TALLAHASSEE— The Republican congressional primary race to replace retiring Rep. Vern Buchanan (R) appears to be over before it even begun, as Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Joe Gruters's wife Sydney is said to be locked into running for the soon-to-be open congressional seat.
A source close to Florida Republican politics and attached to the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), who asked that we keep his name out of this story, told The Floridian on Tuesday that Sydney Gruters, who is currently the Vice President of Advancement and the Executive Director of the New College Foundation, is ready to pull the trigger on a congressional run in Florida's 16th District.
"It's happening. I don't know exactly when she will announce, but it's going to happen," said the source.
Who is Mrs. Sydney Gruters?
The married mother of (3) is not your typical housewife who just so happens to be married to the RNC chairman.
Mrs. Gruters is very well versed in federal congressional policy, having worked in several legislative positions, including being a legislative aid and a district director .
Gruters worked for Reps. Greg Steube and the aforementioned Vern Buchanan, over a 15 year span.
In addition to her time in congress, Gruters was also the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture's Rural Development State Director for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the first.
Let's do a some simple political math.
Gruters is married to one of President Donald Trump's most loyal advisors who heads the National Republican Party, and whose loyalty to the 45th and 47th President of the United States is beyond reproach.
Mr. and Mrs. Gruters are the definition of Trump loyalists, and because of that, a Trump endorsement of Mrs. Gruters would lock down Republican congressional nomination in that district.
The chances of President Trump endorsing anyone whose last name isn't Gruters are zero.
Advantage: Sydney Gruters.
Chairman Gruters could not be reached comment.
