Joe Gruters Overwhelmingly Elected RPOF Chairman

During the party’s Annual Meeting in Orlando on Saturday, Sarasota County Republican Party Chairman Joe Gruters was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Gruters defeated Charlotte County’s Bob Starr in a final margin of 192-25.

Gruters had the backing of new Gov. Ron DeSantis and admitted his White House connections helped him win by such a large margin. Gruters served as the co-chair of Trump’s Florida campaign in 2016.

Mimicking President Trump, he passed out red hats before the vote with the slogan “Keep Florida Great!” written in white. 

Gruters released the following statement about the election:

“I am honored and humbled to have received the vote of confidence from my fellow Republicans to lead the Florida GOP during this exciting time for our party,” said Gruters. “After a close, yet successful midterm election for Republicans, I have learned that united, we are unstoppable. That is why I look forward to getting to work closely with every county chairman, every state committee man and woman, as well as every elected official to make history once again in 2020.

“Our party is in a battle for the soul of America," Gruters added, "and Florida will be critical heading into the next election cycle. I anticipate working with Governor DeSantis to push his bold agenda forward for our great state, securing another term for our President Donald J. Trump and making Florida RED again."