Image courtesy Facebook: Joe Gruters and Ron DeSantis.

The relationship between state Sen. Joe Gruters and Gov. Ron DeSantis has always been a hard one to decipher.

The Sarasota Republican leader was DeSantis’ choice to lead the Republican Party of Florida in 2018. But the presidential election was the party priority then. It made sense to have the man who led Donald Trump’s campaign to victory in Florida in 2016 helm Team Red into 2020.

But there were always grumblings whether DeSantis wanted someone more focused on his own ambitions leading the party into the Midterms. The problem was Gruters proved good at running the party. Registrations were through the roof. Turnout was the envy of Republicans nationwide. Gruters led the state GOP through four years and then some, and DeSantis never openly stood in the way.

But then Gruters left on his own. This year marked the first time in a decade and a half he didn’t hold the title of county or state party chair. Yet, friction between Gruters and DeSantis continues to make headlines.

Last week, the state Senator became the first member of the Florida Legislature to formally endorse Trump as he seeks a White House comeback in 2024. It would be no shock if Trump put Gruters in an important position in his campaign. The former and would-be President would like to win some of those states he swears were stolen in 2020, and Gruters' efforts in Florida guaranteed an outside-the-margin victory for Trump here.

But what’s this mean for Sarasota in the meantime. The Legislative Session is supposed to come a close this week, and the most important remaining task is finalizing a budget. That document will land in front of DeSantis, who boasts line-item veto power and a history of holding grudges. Local institutions who win over the Legislature before the budget is approved this week should still hold back on buying Champaign.

The idea Gruters’ endorsement could undercut important projects in the area may seem petty, but that’s politics. Remember, Gruters’ public support of Trump in a real sense confirmed what always loomed over his relationship with DeSantis. There wasn’t loyalty there at the moment DeSantis needed it most.

Gruters endorsed Trump during a particularly embarrassing week for the Governor’s struggling presidential campaign. DeSantis had announced a trip to Washington to woo members of Congress for endorsements. But Trump seized on that and won over members of Florida’s congressional delegation first. He secured 11 endorsements from Florida’s U.S. House members, including both U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Greg Steube.

When a picture of Trump hosting those endorsers at Mar-a-Lago surfaced, Gruters could be seen smiling at the same table. I couldn’t tell if any salt sat nearby if it had all been rubbed into DeSantis’ political wounds.

But Gruters can still create more trouble for DeSantis from his seat in the Florida Senate. That showed this week when the Senator cast a lone GOP vote against the latest bill advancing the Governor’s unwise feud with the Disney corporation. Gruters issued a statement using the same pro-business logic many Republican candidates fighting DeSantis for the nomination employed to mock this endeavor.

“We should be finding ways to support our job creators and turbocharge Florida’s economy,” Gruters said. “People’s pocketbooks are more powerful at influencing corporate behavior than the heavy hand of government. I’m sure Floridians will make their voices heard on this issue.” 

No other lawmaker in the Legislature has countered DeSantis' foolish proxy war against the Mouse. But for Gruters, the ears are on and the gloves are off. That means the fight is finally about to get good.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA.

Image courtesy Facebook: Joe Gruters and Ron DeSantis.