Joe Gruters, a Florida state senator and longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, has been officially elected chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Gruters' elevation to the national party leadership has been welcomed by GOP lawmakers from the Sarasota-Manatee region and Southwest Florida, who have followed his political rise closely. As RNC chairman, Gruters is positioned to lead the Republican Party into the 2026 election cycle. His leadership comes amid ongoing political activity in Florida, including endorsements and campaign efforts by other Republican figures such as Ashley Moody, who has received backing from the National Association of Realtors PAC for her U.S. Senate bid. The party's focus also includes targeting Democratic representatives in South Florida, with House Republicans at the National Republican Congressional Committee highlighting local issues to challenge incumbents like Darren Soto and Jared Moskowitz.