With Rep. Vern Buchanan stepping aside after nearly two decades in Washington, D.C., the race to represent Florida’s 16th Congressional District is quickly coming into focus, with a fixture in local political circles emerging at the center. Since early this year, rumors have swirled that Sydney Gruters—executive director and vice president of advancement at the New College of Florida Foundation—was considering running for the seat. 

In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump referenced the speculation directly, declaring that Gruters has his “complete and total endorsement” and exhorting her to “RUN, SYDNEY, RUN!” should she decide to throw her hat in the ring.

Gruters, who is married to longtime Trump ally and current Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters—himself a central figure in Florida GOP politics— would enter the contest with deep ties to both the local Republican establishment and the national party apparatus. 

The open seat—which is anchored in Sarasota, Manatee and parts of Hillsborough Counties—has already drawn interest from multiple GOP contenders, including former New College trustee Eddie Speir and others who have filed paperwork. Trump’s early backing of Gruters could quickly consolidate support in a Republican primary that, in a district with a meaningful Republican lean, is likely to determine Buchanan’s successor. 

In the same post, Trump wrote, “As your next Congresswoman, Sydney will fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Military/Veterans, Safeguard our Elections, Champion School Choice, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

Gruters says she will be “making an announcement about the path ahead very soon.”