Sydney Gruters
Sydney Gruters is the wife of Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters and previously worked as district director for U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (2019-2023); she has also cited work at foundations and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She announced for the open 16th District seat after Rep. Vern Buchanan said he would retire, was endorsed by President Trump, and won the Aug. 18, 2026 Republican primary with about 63.5% of the vote over Eddie Speir and Ed Pope.
How they got on the ballot: Won Aug 18, 2026 Republican primary with ~63.5% over Eddie Speir and Ed Pope (Florida's Voice; Florida Politics)
Campaign finance (FEC filings through 10/14/2026): raised $1,618,888, spent $1,366,391, cash on hand $252,497; $1,212,439 from individual donors, $351,250 from PACs, $7,000 from the candidate. FEC filings ↗
Sources last checked 2026-09-25. Report an error ↗
Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Taxes & spending Strongly agrees· stated position
Pledges to cut taxes and regulations so families keep more of what they earn.
"cut taxes and fight rising costs so working families can afford gas, groceries, and everyday essentials"
Housing affordability Leans agree· stated position
Wants to prevent large investors from buying up starter homes and to curb overdevelopment.
"preventing these huge investors from coming in and buying these starter homes"
Immigration Strongly agrees· stated position
At the Sept. 23 forum Gruters backed the Trump administration's deportation efforts, said more than 15 million people entered the country illegally under the previous administration, and said all six sheriffs in the district support her campaign.
"When you're letting people who come in here who are violent criminals, murderers, it affects all of us."
Abortion Leans disagree· stated position
Gruters said she would 'defend the unborn' in Congress and was endorsed by the Faith & Freedom Coalition of Florida, which cited her opposition to abortion. Florida Politics reported she did not answer a conservative questionnaire's specific questions on when abortion should be allowed, so her position on Florida's six-week law is not documented.
Health care Strongly disagrees· stated position
At the Sept. 23 League of Women Voters virtual forum Gruters said she opposes a larger federal role in health coverage and questioned entrusting the government with it, pointing instead to existing federal support for rural hospitals and community health centers in places such as Wauchula and Arcadia.
"I do not want the government taking over my healthcare. We need to cut the government spending."
Social Security & Medicare Strongly agrees· stated position
Would protect Social Security and Medicare.
"strengthen veterans' benefits and protect Social Security and Medicare"
Elections & voting Strongly disagrees· stated position
At the Sept. 23 forum Gruters said she supports the SAVE Act and a voter-identification requirement for voting.
"You have to show your voter ID for hundreds of thousands of things that are much less important than voting."
Trump administration Strongly agrees· stated position
In a WFLA News Channel 8 interview reported Sept. 25, Gruters said she is proud of President Donald Trump's endorsement and does not intend to distance herself from him.
"I am proud to have his endorsement. He has done a phenomenal job."
Veterans Strongly agrees· stated position
Would strengthen veterans' benefits.
"strengthen veterans' benefits"
No public position found on 8 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Guns, Education & school choice, Environment & water, Crime & policing, Gender identity laws, Energy & utilities, Tariffs & trade, Ukraine. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Positions on issues outside this office's scope (1)
Growth & development Leans agree· stated position
Campaign site says she 'will fight to curb overdevelopment and keep homeownership within reach for working families.'
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Balanced federal budget — Says tackling inflation 'came down to balancing the budget' and cites her budget experience at foundations and the USDA.
- Election security — Names election security as one of six legislative priorities.
- Constituent service — Told WSLR every constituent will have access to her and her staff, citing seniors needing help with Social Security.
- Cost of living and inflation — Lists cost of living and inflation as top priorities, pledging 'conservative solutions' to rising prices.
- Data centers and utility costs — At the Sept. 23 forum Gruters said data-center developments should not raise costs for consumers and that technology companies should bear their own infrastructure costs. Data centers and Flock surveillance cameras were among the most-discussed topics at the forum.
- Congressional term limits and a stock-trading ban — Gruters is campaigning on affordability and on ending corruption in Congress, and says she supports congressional term limits and a ban on stock trading by members of Congress.
- Disaster relief rebuilding rule — At the Sept. 23 forum Gruters said she would waive the federal rule that limits reconstruction when repairs exceed 50% of a structure's value.
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- Served as district director for Rep. Greg Steube from January 2019 to March 2023 (LegiStorm).
- Raised more than $1 million and was supported by super PAC spending exceeding $1.5 million during the primary, per WSLR.
Endorsements (as reported)
- President Donald Trump
- Faith & Freedom Coalition of Florida