Key facts
- Donald Trump has only endorsed one candidate, Sydney Gruters, in Florida's 16th District.
- Several open seats in Florida are contested by numerous Republican candidates.
- Florida's new congressional map was finalized in May.
- Mail-in ballots for the primary have been distributed.
- Early voting in Florida begins on August 8.
- Trump's endorsements are considered highly influential in Florida GOP primaries, especially among older voters.
Florida Republicans are in a state of anticipation as Donald Trump has yet to issue endorsements for many of the upcoming August primaries, leaving candidates and strategists uncertain. Trump has so far only backed Sydney Gruters in Florida's 16th District, a race for an open seat currently held by outgoing Rep. Vern Buchanan. Several other Republican members of Congress are also retiring or seeking different offices, contributing to a crowded field in districts like the 19th, which features a former Illinois state senator and a broadcasting executive among its 10 candidates.
The timeline for endorsements has been complicated by factors including the war in Iran and delays in redistricting, with Florida's new congressional map only finalized in May and subsequently facing legal challenges. The urgency is mounting as mail-in ballots have already been sent, and early voting is set to commence on August 8.
Despite the delays, political operatives believe a Trump endorsement can still significantly influence the outcome, particularly among the older voter demographic that dominates GOP primaries in Florida. Ryan Tyson, a pollster and consultant, noted that roughly half of the Republican primary electorate casts ballots in the final four days, and that Trump's endorsement could be impactful up to 24 hours before the election, provided campaigns can quickly disseminate the information.