Everyone considered Trump’s win a long shot. Democrats had a pep in their step, gleeful as they contemplated their third-straight presidential victory on Election Day. Many Republicans counted Trump out long since, downplaying his chances to win the presidency, quietly plotting how they would rebuild the party in the election's aftermath.
Not Joe Gruters.
Many Florida politicos chose to wait in the wings during the primary, refusing to get involved with any candidates because there were three Florida names in the running.
Not Joe Gruters.
With a historic Trump victory under his belt, the Sarasota Republican now finds himself in a fortunate position with which few can identify. Although he’s just been sworn in as one of the newest lawmakers in the Florida House of Representatives, Gruters’ eyes could be focusing elsewhere as he ponders life beyond Tallahassee and in Washington, D.C., toying with the possibility of a job with President-Elect Donald Trump.
A grassroots supporter from the beginning, Gruters spread the word for Trump in a time when many didn’t believe the celebrity billionaire could deliver the party a win. Against all odds, Gruters ultimately helped play a part in sending the businessman-turned-political sensation to the White House on Election Day.
While Gruters tells Sunshine State News he hasn’t accepted any official offers to take a job in the Trump administration just yet, he didn’t rule out the possibility. Trump has to fill more than 4,000 jobs, only a handful of those personally.
“We will wait and see what happens,” Gruters told Sunshine State News. “I believe in Trump and the movement he created and any way I can help the movement, here in Washington or anywhere else, [I will.]” It clearly sounded like interest.
A job with the Trump administration could mean leaving his post as representative for Florida’s 73rd District. Gruters won his seat less than a month ago in the district which covers part of Sarasota County.
Gruters said his focus -- for now -- would be in his district, but said only time would tell where he would end up.
“Obviously, I have been a huge fan [of Trump,]” he said. “We will wait and see what happens.”
Gruters said he would know what his future plans are in the coming weeks.
A move to Washington could mean the climb up a political ladder for Gruters, who currently serves as vice chair of the Republican Party of Florida. He was named to that position in January 2015 during a shakeup of the party leadership, leaving Gov. Rick Scott’s hand-picked candidate, Leslie Dougher, in the dust.
Some aren’t one bit surprised by Gruters’ ambitions, saying his positions are a result of dumb luck.
"He's an opportunist," former Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta told the Tampa Bay Times. "He's simply ended up in the right place at the right time."
RPOF chair Blaise Ingoglia told SSN he didn't know about Gruters' possible future plans.
"I am not aware of his desire for a job in the administration," Ingoglia said.
Some have said Gruters could use the position as a leveraging tool to move beyond the Florida political scene and onto the larger national Republican stage.
Gruters has played it cool.
“I just don’t know,” he said, noting there had been no ‘official talks’ with the Trump administration. But he did not deny any "unofficial" discussions. “I’d be honored to be considered.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
