This story was updated with a statement from State Senator Joe Gruters.
The Republican National Committee will need a new leader soon to replace the current chairman who is stepping down to run for a North Carolina U.S. Senate seat − and President Donald Trump’s choice is in Sarasota.
“Fortunately, I have somebody who will do a wonderful job as the Chairman of the RNC,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “His name is Joe Gruters, and he will have my Complete and Total Endorsement.”
Gruters, a Florida state senator representing Sarasota County, is the RNC’s treasurer and was previously chair of the Florida Republican Party. He is also running in 2026 to be Florida’s Chief Financial Officer.
“I’m looking forward to advancing President Trump’s America First agenda as the next Chair of the RNC,” Gruters said in a statement to the Herald-Tribune. “He is the greatest President in our nation’s history, and I’m ready to serve, fight, and win for our party and our country.”
The RNC’s current chairman, Michael Whatley, is leaving to run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, according to reporting by Politico.
Gruters was also endorsed by longtime U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, in a statement Friday morning.
“I’ve known Joe for over 20 years and have witnessed his strategic vision and steadfast commitment to conservative principles,” Buchanan said. “His passion, integrity, and leadership make him the right person for the job.”
Although Trump and DeSantis appeared to have reconciled at Alligator Alcatraz, they are on opposite sides when it comes to the Florida Chief Financial Officer statewide race. DeSantis appointed a key ally in the Legislature, state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, a Hernando County Republican as interim as CFO to set him up to run for the position next year, while top Trump political advisors Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio this month joined Gruters’ campaign, announced last year.
DeSantis and Ingoglia were in Bradenton on Thursday to announce an audit of the Manatee County government, amid the board of county commissioners’ hardline stance against development interests.
As of Friday, Ingoglia has not yet officially filed to run for the seat in 2026, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Gruters has raised $348,295 since he announced his candidacy in 2024. A political action committee in his name, “Friends of Joe Gruters,” has raised an additional $711,275.
Christian Casale covers local government for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Email him at ccasale@gannett.com or christiancasale@protonmail.com
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Trump endorses Sarasota’s Joe Gruters to lead Republican National Committee
Reporting by Christian Casale, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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