Sydney Gruters Joins FL-16 Race, GOP Backs Her

0:00On April 3rd, Cindy Grooters, wife of R&C Chair Joe Grooters, just jumped into the race for Florida's 16th Congressional District. She's aiming to replace Republican rep Vern Buchanan, and right now, she's the only candidate in the solid Republican seat that Donald Trump carried by 16 points last year. Her background is deep in politics and public service. She's worked as staff for House members, served as District Director for Rep Greg Stave, and during Trump's first term, ran rural development for Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands at the Department of Agriculture. Lately as Executive Director of the New College Foundation, she grew its assets from $39 million to $54 million. Republicans are lining up behind her quick. Former Florida Senate President Bill Gavano calls her a respected leader with no real challenges yet, and new college president, Richard Corcoran, praises her fighter spirit wrapped in kindness. Republican Buchanan has been a mentor, though Trump endorsed him recently.

1:00Democrats aren't as hyped. Manatee County Party Chair Christine Kennedy Meyer labels her a Trump loyalist, who hurt local higher ed, saying voters want fresh change over back room. Power plays. With the District locked in as safely Republican by the Cook Political Report, Grooters lets position to glide toward the nomination and keep the seat in GOP hands. All news, powered by AI, this is U.S. News Today, I'm Cory with the story.