Phil Ammann
Sarasota GOP Chair Joe Gruters announced a solid Sarasota-area political roster on Monday to his campaign team in the House District 73 race.
Although primaries are still more than a year away, Gruters – a prolific fundraiser himself – said strategic planning and fundraising has been in the works for the past month.
“I’ve put together a dynamic and experienced team to assist me in my efforts to serve District 73 and the state of Florida in the legislature,” Gruters said in a statement.
Gruters, a Certified Public Accountant who serves as vice chair and head of fundraising for the Republican Party of Florida, is running for the seat now held by fellow Republican Greg Steube. HD 73 covers parts of Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Steube has hinted he will not seek re-election next year, instead opting to run for the Senate District 28 seat of Venice Republican Nancy Detert.
Key members chosen for the 2016 Gruters campaign team are several veteran Florida political operatives, including Mac Stevenson of Ellington’s Political Insights as general consultant; Adam Goodman, principal director of the Tampa-based Victory Group, Inc., will handle television and digital media; fundraising duties will go to Kelly Dowd’s KD Logistics from Sarasota.
For campaign manager, Gruters tapped Jennifer Locetta of Sole Strategies in Casselberry.
Gruters also announced a kickoff fundraiser Monday evening, starting 5:30 p.m. at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, 7051 Wireless Court in Sarasota. The company is the area’s largest marketer of Anheuser-Busch/InBev and Modelo/Corona brands, as well as import and craft beers.
The event features a notable host committee with State Sens. John McKay, Lisa Carlton, and Pat Neal. Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, State Reps. Julio Gonzalez and Ray Pilon, and several other County Commissioners from Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
