Patronis wants Joe Gruters to succeed him as Florida’s chief financial officer

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis says he wants Sarasota County Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters to replace him when he steps down early next year to run for a Congress.

In a message posted on X on Wednesday morning, Patronis, who has already been endorsed by President-elect Donald Trump in the special election scheduled in 2025 for the congressional seat vacated by Matt Gaetz, said he supports Gruters to become his immediate successor when he leaves office next March.

Greuters has already declared his intention to run for CFO in the 2026 elections, when Patronis would have been termed out of office.

“I fully endorse @JoeGruters as my replacement for CFO,” Patronis wrote on X on Wednesday.

“Joe has worked very closely with my office on a number of consumer protection initiatives, including reining in annoying telemarketing calls. He knows insurance and he’s experienced in storm recovery. Most importantly, he’s a CPA, so he’s going to protect taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste and abuse. His Conservative credentials are tried and true — a former head of RPOF [Republican Party of Florida], Trump-backed Republican. I want to see this office continue its progress in supporting Florida’s economy, putting policyholders first and supporting our firefighters. Joe’s the right man for the job!”

“The chief financial officer shall serve as the chief fiscal officer of the state, and shall settle and approve accounts against the state, and shall keep all state funds and securities,” according to the Florida Constitution. They also serve as state fire marshal, oversee the insurance industry and other consumer-protection efforts, and, as a member of the Florida Cabinet, help governors oversee additional aspects of state government including investments and public lands.

‘ROCKSTAR’

Gruters is an ally of Trump who served as co-chair of his presidential campaign in 2016. Trump declared him a “ROCKSTAR” when he announced on his Truth Social page back in March of this year that he was “hearing” that Gruters was considering a run for CFO.

“Joe was on the “Trump Train” before it even left the station and, if he decides to run, he will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. As a State Senator and Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida,” Trump wrote at that time.

In a statement, Gruters make sure to give props to Trump and other prominent Florida Republicans who have already endorsed his candidacy for CFO.

“I am truly honored to have the support and endorsement of Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis,” Gruters said in a text message to the Phoenix.

“He has been a steadfast leader for our state, and I know he will make an outstanding member of Congress. I look forward to continuing the fight for Florida homeowners, particularly in addressing the skyrocketing insurance rates that are burdening families. As your next CFO, reducing those rates will be my top priority. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to President Trump, Senator Rick Scott, and Congressmen Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz, and Greg Steube for their early support in this important journey.”

Up to DeSantis

Patronis wrote in his resign-to-run letter earlier this month that he intends to step down from his position as CFO on March 31, 2025. The general election in the Congressional District 1 seat will take place on April 1.

The decision to choose his replacement will be up to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who battled Gruters over Amendment 3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would have legalized recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older. The measure received 56% support, short of the 60% required for passage.

Gruters was the lone Republican in the Legislature to support the measure, which was opposed by the Republican Party of Florida, and DeSantis spent considerable political capital crisscrossing the state this past election cycle bashing it as something that would hurt the state.

In addition to serving as a state senator for the past six years, Gruters spent two years in the Florida House. He served as the Republican Party of Florida Chairman from 2018 to 2022.