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)
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 Leans agree· stated position
Gruters says she will fight rising prices 'with conservative solutions that help families keep more of what they earn' and told WSLR that controlling inflation comes down to balancing the federal budget.
"You have to balance the budget. 49 of the 50 states do it. It's not impossible."
Immigration Leans agree· stated position
Lists 'a secure border' among six legislative priorities and says she will 'work with President Trump and ICE to keep our families safe from violent criminals entering our country illegally.' No statement on large-scale deportation beyond people with criminal records was found.
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.
Social Security & Medicare Leans agree· stated position
Campaign site says she will 'protect Social Security and Medicare so seniors and those who served can retire with security.' No statement on how to finance the programs was found.
Trump administration Leans agree· stated position
Gruters was endorsed by President Trump in the primary and says she will work with President Trump and ICE on border enforcement; her husband, Joe Gruters, chairs the Republican National Committee.
Veterans Leans agree· stated position
Says she will 'strengthen veterans' benefits'; lists seniors and veterans among her six legislative priorities.
No public position found on 11 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Housing affordability, Guns, Health care, Education & school choice, Environment & water, Elections & voting, 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.
Housing affordability: Lists housing costs among her six legislative priorities and says she wants to keep homeownership within reach, but no specific proposal (subsidies, zoning, rent measures) was found as of Sept 2026.
Elections & voting: Lists 'election security' among her six legislative priorities; no specific position on mail voting, drop boxes or new requirements was found as of Sept 2026.
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.
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