Joe Gruters couldn’t stay out of party politics long. He’s expected today to win a race for national committeeman, making him one of three Republicans representing the state within the Republican National Committee. he could also grab now for one of the biggest brass rings in politics.

Rumors mounted in the last week that Ronna McDaniel, the current RNC Chair, offered to step down and to let Donald Trump, the likely 2024 presidential nominee, put a confidante in charge of the national party. With Gruters already seeking an RNC position, with Trump’s endorsement no less, he immediately emerged as a possible choice.

He hasn’t tamped down whispers, though he’s made clear he will follow Trump’s lead.

“Whenever you’re even mentioned for something like that it’s pretty spectacular, but at the end of the day the president’s continuing to build his team so we can win in November and I support wherever he goes,” Gruters said.

What’s going for the Sarasota pol? For one, he recently made another run for an RNC officership. In his last weeks as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, Gruters ran for national treasurer, though he was always an underdog and ultimately lost. Still, the experience meant he campaigning with many of the RNC members who have a vote.

That said, it’s a presidential year, and there’s ultimately one real voter when picking an RNC Chair. If Trump picks a favorite choice to lead the RNC, that person leads the RNC.  On that front, Gruters can point to years of loyalty to the once-and-future nominee.

In 2016, Gruters became an early voice in Florida politics endorsing Trump, back when he seemed a longshot for the GOP nomination. Then the Republican Party of Sarasota Chair and a candidate for state Representative, Gruters’ biggest claim in state politics at the time had been a willingness to support Rick Scott early in a run for Governor. Like that bet, putting chips on Trump paid off for Gruters, and he delivered results for Trump in return.

Gruters co-chaired the Florida arm of Trump’s campaign. The operation managed to win Florida in the Primary over former Gov. Jeb Bush and sitting Sen. Marco Rubio. Then the nearly unimaginable happened and Trump won Florida in November, essentially sealing his victory over Hillary Clinton.

Two years later, Gov. Ron DeSantis tapped Gruters to head the state party. He did so spectacularly through both the 2020 presidential election, when Florida was one of two states where Trump improved his vote share. Then he helped DeSantis win re-election in 2022. Along the way, he secured Florida Republicans a voter registration advantage over Democrats for the first time in state history.

When another contest of Florida men emerged in the current nomination fight, Gruters became the first state lawmaker to endorse Trump over DeSantis. Since then, DeSantis folded and Trump has the nod all but sewn up.

But this could be a more complicated climb to the top still. First, Gruters previously showed loyalty to McDaniel, so he needs her to step aside before considering the run. It’s also a hard metric to compare Gruters to other contenders like North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley, who still heads a party in a true swing state. Granted, Gruters can lay a realistic claim Florida no longer looks purple thanks to his own hard work. And there may yet be another candidate who emerges.

But sources tell me Gruters, despite a fairly moderate record as a state Senator, enjoyes some enthusiasm from the far-right. Steve Bannon, an influential podcaster, former White House strategist and one-time Sarasota resident (on paper at least), reportedly favors Gruters. And if Trump wants an RNC director he can connect with, it’s a shorter commute from Sarasota to Mar-a-Lago than to North Carolina.

Ultimately, this all comes down to the preference of one of the least predictable figures in modern politics. But if Gruters is given the chance to make his case to Trump, he certainly has one to make.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ Media. 

Photo courtesy Facebook: Joe Gruters and Donald Trump.

Building the first-ever intercollegiate sports program at New College of Florida goes beyond winning games and championships. It is a lesson in mindset and perseverance, and a labor of love. The energy and enthusiasm surrounding Mighty Banyans athletics are undeniable, as these scholar-athletes bring their all to the field, classroom and campus every single day.

Last Saturday evening, our highly successful Athletics Gala fundraising event brought together over 300 community members who showed unwavering support for what we have achieved in just under a year. The aim of this event was not only to celebrate our growth, but also to raise funds for the continued expansion of our athletics program.

In a remarkably short amount of time, New College has accomplished a lot. We now have six varsity teams taking to the field, and we have been fortunate to recruit coaches and athletes who have heart and are driven by excellence. With the support of our community partners, we have gained access to premier local sports venues such as IMG Academy, Manatee County's Premiere Sports Complex and Hal Chasey Gymnasium at State College of Florida, enabling our teams to compete at the highest level.

These accomplishments, achieved with remarkable efficiency, have earned us admission into the prestigious National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Sun Conference. This membership, which begins later this year, is a testament to our commitment and determination.

Just over a week ago, our baseball team made history at Bradenton's legendary LECOM Park. Surrounded by the New College community, they secured the Mighty Banyans' first-ever win. The support and cheers from students were unrelenting, and we’re simply proud of the community we are building.

Our softball team achieved a significant milestone when they hosted the first-ever on-campus sporting event on February 3. The transformation of our east campus into a functional regulation field is also the beginning of our mission to create top-notch facilities and recreational spaces for our students and community. As we continue to refine our Campus Master Plan, providing our athletes with state-of-the-art playing and training facilities on campus will be a top priority.

Behind the scenes, Mariano Jimenez, Jr., our Director of Athletics, has been the driving force behind this transformative journey. Mariano's passion and unwavering faith in our scholar-athletes have been the cornerstone of our success. When he joined New College, he faced a strong challenge, and his vision, perseverance and belief have elevated our sports program to a place no one could have imagined in less than a year. The infectious school spirit and energy he brings have engaged students throughout campus life.

As New College continues its trajectory of growth, our vision is to introduce more athletics opportunities and scholarships for scholar-athletes. Golf, lacrosse and volleyball are already on the horizon for the 2024-2025 season. We are committed to continuously evaluating additional sports to be integrated into our athletics program and we invite you to witness the rise of Mighty Banyans athletics by visiting GoMightyBanyans.com.

We are incredibly proud of our entire community at New College of Florida, and under Mariano's leadership, the scholar-athletes are doing something that has never been done before, embracing the wins and the challenges with unwavering dedication both in the classroom and on the field. Their perseverance and mindset, fueled by Mariano's passion, inspire us all.

Richard Corcoran is president of New College of Florida. 

Photo courtesy New College: The Mighty Banyans' first baseball game.