The election of a President from Florida means everyone in the state keeps waiting for political dominoes to fall. But a closer-than-imagined margin in U.S. House seats may prevent any tiles from falling in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

The exciting news? President-elect Donald Trump appears to be seriously considering U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, for a Cabinet level. There’s plenty of reason to think the Congressman could land a job. He’s long proven himself to be loyal to Trump and does a good job advocating for the President on cable news, a talent that seems be playing an outsized role in choices for appointments.

But he’s the downer. Trump can’t name many more people serving in the U.S. House to his administration without seriously threatening a Republican majority there. The latest Associated Press projections show Republican have won 219 House seats to Democrats’ 213.

That said, Trump already appointed two Republican Representatives, Michael Waltz of St. Augustine Beach and Elise Stefanik of New York, to jobs in his administration. He also tapped Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Panhandle Republican, for a job, and while that fizzled out this week, Gaetz resigned his seat and still doesn’t intend to be sworn into another term in January. That effectively means a 216-213 House breakdown right now with three House uncalled nationwide (Democrats hold a vote lead in one) and three GOP seats empty for the foreseeable future.

Some remain optimistic Trump will still find a job for Steube, but with that narrow margin hanging in the air, an appointment won’t come soon. To act much sooner would just hobble House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The other local pol frequently whispered about in state Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, a longtime ally of Trump and, perhaps more important, incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

The problem there? Gruters already has a pretty plush leadership role in the Florida Senate as Fiscal Policy Chair and his eyes on a statewide run for Chief Financial Officer. It’s somewhat unclear how any available job in the administration will boost his political notoriety ahead of 2026, and absent a really good job, Gruters may have no reason to move to Washington (and plenty of people around the President-elect are asking for really good jobs).

Another rumored name, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, likewise has a nice House gig as Ways and Means Vice Chair now that Republicans have secured a majority, however small. Plus, the same issues facing Steube with that tight majority make even an ambassadorship a risky venture.

I know this column feels like a pile of wet blankets. With that in mind, I should stress we’re in anything-can-happen mode in the political news world, where major developments and shifts happen multiple times a day. Gaetz, for example, was meeting with senators about confirmation on Wednesday.

That means the fantasy scenarios continue to play out in robust fashion in both Sarasota and Manatee counties. Gruters may not give up a CFO run to be deputy director of Amtrak, but he just might do it for a run for either Buchanan’s or Steube’s congressional seats. So might state Rep. James Buchanan, the son of the sitting Longboat Key Congressman. And if any other state lawmakers or county commissioners feel intimidated by a run for Congress could well fell the lure of a an state Senate or House seat if one of them runs.

It may not happen next week, but some time between now and 2026, expect the first move in a chain reaction that could remake the political landscape thoroughly in the region.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA. 

Image courtesy Pixabay.

It’s true: arguably the most daunting prospect of a college education can be the expense. No matter what kind of education you want to pursue or career you work toward, the first question will almost always be, “How can I afford this?”

I have always firmly believed that merit and desire—not wealth—should be the primary determinants of where and even if you go to school. And I also believe that even the most prestigious arts education institutions, including Ringling College of Art and Design, should not be exempt from this principle. Therefore, our aim at Ringling College is to be leaders in accessibility, financial accessibility being no exception. Indeed, it’s the only way we can ensure that our education is available to the right people who can do the most good with that experience.

The cost of higher education is not an issue that can solely be written off with promises of future earnings potential or faith in political solutions that have been slow to materialize. At Ringling College, we understand that our current and future students need financial assistance now.

College costs go well beyond tuition. They include room and board, books and supplies, as well as transportation and, yes even, recreation. Financial accessibility must account for the many ways different students and their families are able to allocate their available resources to cover these needs. Because of these many factors, there is no one-size-fits-all fix. 

To help support our students and their diverse needs, Ringling College offers a comprehensive selection of financial aid and scholarship opportunities, as well as facilitated access to state and federal aid programs (like Florida’s EASE Grant and Bright Futures, or federal PELL Grants and debt relief), third-party grants and scholarships, loans and tuition payment plans. We are also fortunate to be able to offer merit-based scholarships, which are often funded by our generous donors at Ringling College.

No less important are our work-study programs, facilitated through Ringling’s Office of Human Resources. These paid positions offer meaningful employment in several art and design fields and other areas in ways that are conducive to the student’s academic schedule and obligations. These student employment opportunities combine financial compensation with practical, on-the-job learning, allowing students to support themselves while honing their skills and establishing real, demonstrable value for future prospective employers.

Of course, there is never enough money to meet every student's needs. But there are also many sources of funding available for today’s college students. The key is in knowing how to find them. 

Of course, we understand that the task alone of negotiating college assistance programs can be daunting enough to frustrate and discourage. At the center of our financial services is Ringling’s Office of Financial Aid (OFA). Here, every student who needs help can be paired with a financial aid professional who is thoroughly familiar with the ins and outs of college costs and assistance programs, both within our institution and the wider Sarasota community, as well as at the state and national levels.

Beginning with a fully transparent explanation of fees, Ringling OFA experts guide individuals through a highly personalized process, from elucidating the wide variety of options and helping students select programs that suit their needs as well as their strengths, through charting timelines, navigating applications, encouraging follow-up with the appropriate contacts, and clarifying the ways various types of funds are allocated. In fact, this work needs to begin as soon as possible, even before the student has begun their college career so that by the time the semester starts, their financial stresses can be properly resolved.

Even as we continuously strive to provide the best art and design education, we must also do our best to ensure that this education is not limited only to a small, privileged portion of society. On top of the many compensatory opportunities available to Ringling College students, dedicated financial guidance makes a huge difference in alleviating fears and empowering our community, turning what could be an overwhelming prospect into a manageable and even fulfilling accomplishment. Through these ongoing financial aid efforts, I am reassured that aspiring artists and designers, regardless of financial background, have access to the world-class education they deserve.

Dr. Larry Thompson is President of Ringling College of Art & Design. 

Image courtesy Ringling College.