Photo courtesy Joe Gruters: Joe Gruters introduces presidential candidate Donald Trump to supporters at a Saturday event during a swing through Florida

Donald Trump’s presidential ambitions could put a Sarasota political leader in one of the most important campaign jobs in the country next year. Joe Gruters, chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota, was announced on Friday as the chairman for Trump’s Florida campaign. “This is one of the few times ever when I have weighed in on a primary,” Gruters said. “I am not endorsing Trump as the chair of the Republican Party of Sarasota or as the vice chair of the Republican Party of Florida, but as an individual I will do all I can for a victory for Donald Trump. At this point in the country’s history, he is the right person for the job.” 

The relationship between Trump and Gruters actually stretches back years. The local party in 2012 made the decision to award its Statesman of the Year award to Trump in 2012, and did so again last year. Trump remains the only figure ever to win the honor twice. The recognition has also gone to such national figures as Sean Hannity and Ted Cruz, the latter also a presidential candidate this year. 

Trump is one of several major candidates in the field right now with Florida connections; former Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio are battling it out right now for the role of establishment standard-bearer while Trump tries to shore up the outsider vote. 

Of course, Gruters in the past has always prided himself on treating all campaigns equal. In 2010, the local party was among the only in the state to host a rally for then-candidate Rick Scott even as most party leaders backed Attorney General Bill McCollum. Scott ended up winning the primary that year, and then the general election. Gruters didn’t endorse a candidate in the primary but would later say he thought Scott won thanks to the public hunger for a business leader in an executive post.

As party chair, he said he will still invite all campaigns and give a warm welcome; he noted the Rubio campaign leaders also serve on the Republican Executive Committee here. Gruters suggested that since Florida’s primary is later in the primary cycle this year, there may be fewer campaigns rolling through the area than came in 2012. He also noted that Bush, Ben Carson and John Kasich all have events planned in Sarasota in the next month, none set up through the local party.

Photo courtesy Joe Gruters: Joe Gruters introduces presidential candidate Donald Trump to supporters at a Saturday event during a swing through Florida