Surprise, surprise: After an initial press release saying she was "honored" by President Trump's endorsement of her potential run for Congress, Sydney Gruters officially announced last Thursday, April 2, that, yes, she is running for office in Florida’s 16th Congressional District. 

Gruters—whose husband is current Republic National Committee chair Joe Gruters—is hoping to win the seat being vacated by Congressman Vern Buchanan, who's retiring after 20 years in office. She says her campaign will focus on lowering the cost of living and protecting affordability for Southwest Florida families, seniors and veterans.

Until last Wednesday, April 1, Gruters worked at the New College of Florida Foundation, where she earned $205,020 per year as its executive director and vice president of advancement, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 

“As a working mother of three, I see firsthand how much pressure rising prices are putting on families across Southwest Florida,” Gruters said in a release announcing her run. “From groceries and gas to housing and insurance, too many families, seniors, and veterans are being stretched thin. I’m running for Congress to protect our conservative values, fight for the people of this district, and give them a strong voice in Washington."

Prior to her work at New College, Gruters was previously district director for Congressman Greg Steube following his election in 2018 and state director for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development. She also worked in Buchanan's Washington, D.C., and Manatee County offices and for former Rep. Katherine Harris, and, in the mid-2010s, was a consultant for the multi-level marketing company (MLM) Rodan + Fields. 

The Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2026. At press time, Gruters' current Republican opponents for the 16th Congressional District seat are John Peters, Eddie Speir and Eddie Pope.