Continuing his efforts in Florida, businessman Donald Trump turned to a decorated veteran to help lead his campaign in the Sunshine State.
On Saturday, Trump spoke at a rally in Sarasota and was introduced by Kathryn "Kat" Gates-Skipper. Trump also named Gates-Skipper, the first woman Marine in combat during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Gates-Skipper was honored with the Marine Corps Distinguished Service Award and has been active on veterans matters in Florida.
“It is a great honor to receive Kat's endorsement,” Trump said on Saturday. “She is a genuine patriot who has worked tirelessly in service to our country and her fellow veterans. With her support and the support of so many other veterans across the country, we are going to ‘Make America Great Again.'"
"I believe America needs strong leadership and a man like Donald Trump who will be strong on defense and ensure our veterans have convenient access to the best quality care," said Gates-Skipper. "This Marine, this veteran, this woman, this grandmother wants her grandchildren to grow up in an America of hard work with high rewards. That is why I am proud to be the co-chair of the Florida Veterans for Donald Trump, and pledge to rally other Veterans behind the only man that will fight for us, Donald J. Trump."
Gates-Skipper is not the only new member of Trump’s Florida team. Having already named Karen Giorno as his director in Florida, Trump expanded his team last week when he named Jennifer Locetta as his deputy director in Florida while Ken Mayo will handle field operations. John Pughe was tapped as southeast regional field director and Craig Bachler will be Trump’s coalitions director in Florida. Last month, Trump named Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) Vice Chairman Joe Gruters, the chairman of the Sarasota County GOP, as one of his Florida co-chairs. Susie Wiles, a longtime Republican operative who was Rick Scott’s campaign manager in 2010, is the other co-chair for Trump.
Polls have shown Trump leading in the Sunshine State, despite two Republicans who have had electoral success in Florida: former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Trump owns properties across the state but two other primary rivals also have ties to Florida. Dr. Ben Carson moved to South Florida after ending his celebrated medical career while former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., moved to the Panhandle after his 2008 presidential bid.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
