Hardee County Sheriff Vent Crawford and DeSoto County Sheriff Jim Potter announced their endorsement of Sydney Gruters in Florida's District 16 congressional race.
“Hardee County is a community that works hard, lives by strong values, and expects its leaders to do the same,” Hardee County Sheriff Vent Crawford said through a press statement released this week. “Sydney Gruters understands that. She came here, listened, and showed she understands what makes this county special. I’m proud to endorse her because I know she will fight for Hardee County families and support rural communities that make Florida great.”
Gruters thanked Crawford for his endorsement.
“Sheriff Crawford has dedicated his life to protecting Hardee County and standing up for the people he serves,” Gruters said. “His endorsement means a great deal to me because Hardee County represents the kind of hardworking, rural community that too often gets overlooked in Washington. I will fight to make sure families, farmers, small businesses and law enforcement in Hardee County always have a strong voice in Congress.”
District 16 includes parts of five counties: DeSoto, Hardee, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and all of Manatee. Gruters entered the race in April.
“When representing a community like DeSoto County, you quickly learn who is serious and who is just passing through,” DeSoto County Sheriff Jim Potter said. “Sydney Gruters is serious. Her tenure at USDA Rural Development gave her real experience with the challenges faced by communities like ours — the infrastructure gaps, economic pressures, and issues that don’t make headlines but matter deeply to families here.
"I appreciate Sydney’s strong support for good law enforcement, and I’m proud to endorse her because DeSoto County needs a voice in Washington that truly understands our community," Potter added.
Gruters thanked Potter for his endorsement.
“Sheriff Potter understands DeSoto County because he lives these issues every day,” Gruters said. "I’m grateful for his support and proud to stand with him. During my time at USDA Rural Development, I worked directly on the kinds of challenges rural communities face, including infrastructure, economic development, agriculture and access to essential services. DeSoto County deserves a representative who will show up, listen and fight for the resources and attention these communities have earned.”
Gruters is looking to replace Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), who announced his retirement in January.
President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), U.S. Sen Rick Scott (R-FL), Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, and Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman have also endorsed Gruters in the race.
With Crawford and Potter on board, all five sheriffs in CD 16 have now endorsed Gruters in her campaign.
