I just dropped a direct message to Republican voters across Florida, and I want every one of you to see it.
Republican voters are done with Joe Gruters as head of the RNC. His establishment candidates, and linguini-spined leadership are being rejected by the voters. Jon Maples loses Mar a Lago and now he tries the same tactics to get his wife elected in Florida CD #16.
Watch the full video here:
We just saw it happen twice in the last few days.
First, in Florida State House District 87 — right in President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago backyard — Trump-endorsed candidate Jon Maples went down in defeat. Two years ago a Republican won that district by 19 points. This time? We lost by 2 points. A 21-point swing in a seat that should be safely red.
That one lands squarely on Joe Gruters and the failed top-down strategy he keeps pushing.
And it didn’t stop there.
In Hillsborough County, the Florida GOP ran another establishment pick, Josie Tomkow, for a State Senate seat — and she lost in a major upset. Tomkow has made it clear she sees her job as stopping a real Freedom Caucus from forming in the Florida Legislature and punishing any House member who dares cross the establishment line.
As Anthony Sabatini just posted after her defeat:
“Florida Republicans ran a RINO named @JosieTomkow for a State Senate seat tonight & she lost in a major upset. This is what happens when you run a pro-amnesty, fake Republican, who believes in absolutely nothing.”
Sabatini went on to detail how Tomkow spent more time attacking Governor DeSantis and quietly fighting conservative reforms than actually advancing America First priorities. That kind of insider, anti-Freedom Caucus mentality is exactly why voters are rejecting these hand-picked candidates.
Two special elections. Two establishment-backed candidates. Two clear defeats. The pattern is obvious.
This isn’t random. It’s the direct result of years of the same Sarasota-centered machine.
Joe Gruters ran the Florida Republican Party before handing the chairmanship to his ally Christian Ziegler in 2023. Ziegler’s short tenure ended in scandal and removal. Now Christian throws his support to Sydney Gruters and says, “I’ve seen enough, this race is over.” The voters aren’t looking for more insiders who talk about family values but live another life altogether. This race is far from over the people get to vote and We the People are tired of being manipulated. FL-16 deserves better than the Ziegler/Gruters swamp seal of approval.”
Who can they count on to do the bidding of the political machine that seeks only to stregthen itself? Well, it’s Joe Gruter’s wife of course.
Now we’re watching the same recycled tactics: copy-and-paste Trump endorsements being used for Sydney Gruters (Joe’s wife), who is “for all intents and purposes” running for the very same congressional seat I’m running for in Florida’s 16th District.
Nepotistic politics. Insider protection. Silencing the America First voices who actually want to fight.
Ron DeSantis himself once called Gruters “linguini-spined.” The Maples loss and the Tomkow defeat prove he was right — and that the base is no longer willing to go along with it.
I’m Eddie Speir — founder of Inspiration Academy, constitutional conservative, and unapologetic America First fighter. I ran hard in 2024 and earned nearly 40% against an entrenched incumbent more than double any other challenger in Florida was able to achieve (save one exceptional circumstance). With the seat now open, I’m back in the race to bring real accountability and fighting spirit to Congress.
We cannot keep protecting insider networks and punishing conservatives who want to form a Freedom Caucus and actually deliver results. The voters just sent two loud messages this week. It’s time the party leadership listened.
This isn’t personal. It’s about winning. It’s about putting America First — not any one family or Sarasota clique.
We need to Fire Joe Gruters and replace the failed playbook before more seats slip away in the August primaries.
I’m Eddie Speir. If you’re ready to fight RINOs and the establishment, you’re going to need a Speir!
Have you had enough of the same weak leadership and RINO candidates? Are you seeing this disconnect in your own district?
Drop your thoughts in the comments — especially if you’re in Florida’s 16th Congressional District or following these races. Let’s have the honest conversation the establishment doesn’t want us to have.
If this resonates, share the video. Tag your friends. Let the grassroots be heard.
Together we can restore real conservative leadership that fights for We the People — not the insiders.
You can help get the word out by following me on social media. We need help financially against the machine as well so please consider donating to help us win this fight!
Thank you for your support.
Eddie Speir
Candidate for U.S. Congress, Florida’s 16th District
Founder, Inspiration Academy
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