State Senator Joe Gruters beats challenger Michael Johnson in race for Senate District 22
State Sen. Joe Gruters won the race for the Senate District 22 seat Tuesday night, earning more than 66% of the votes over challenger Michael Johnson in the Sarasota-Manatee district.
Gruters said Tuesday evening that receiving almost 67% of votes was much higher than he expected, especially in a universal primary in which there were many unknown factors.
"Incredibly thankful to all the voters from all parties for the overwhelming victory and support," Gruters said in an emailed statement to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, adding that the margin was "a huge win and I look forward to going back to Tallahassee to fight for our community and the issues we all care about."
The incumbent senator and chairman of both the state Republican Party and the Republican Party of Sarasota County took an early lead in the race and never looked back. The race was one in which all registered voters could cast ballots because no Democrat qualified to run for the seat in November's general election.
The unofficial voter turnout was nearly 37% in Sarasota County and about 31% in Manatee, according to the elections supervisors in both counties.
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Gruters first became a state senator in 2018 after winning a special election. This four-year term will be Gruters' final one in the state Senate after serving two two-year terms previously, because of term limits.
He ran on a campaign focused on working with colleagues across the aisle in a bid to win over both Democratic and independent voters in the open primary. He touted throughout his campaign that in four years, he passed 51 bills ranging from banning smoking on Florida beaches and increased funding for red tide research to increasing the amount of money going towards teachers’ salaries.
Gruters said he will be focusing on tackling the affordable housing crisis over the next four years, citing it as the biggest concern. He added he'll also be looking to continue strides continuing to keep Florida an open state and focusing on environmental issues.
"I will do everything I can to represent my community," Gruters said.
While Gruters and Johnson are both Republicans who ran on conservative platforms, Gruters heavily leaned on the fact he was born and raised in Sarasota, while Johnson noted that he'd moved to the county because he's always loved the area and wanted to support its residents.
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Johnson, a political newcomer and relatively new Sarasota County resident, focused his campaign on promising to get rid of corruption within government, being tough on crime, and being pro-life.
Johnson challenged Gruters because he didn't agree with Gruters handling of a complaint that he brought before the Florida GOP regarding the Seminole GOP, according to previous reporting.
A veteran and grassroots activist, Johnson also aimed to introduce bills to reform the Florida Department of Children and Families, help senior citizens and fight the drug epidemic.
Johnson said Wednesday he gave the race his best shot and appreciated the support he received.
As for next steps, Johnson said he's not leaving the area. He added he'll continue to do what he set out to do in working to hold politicians accountable, trying to get rid of the corruption and helping more people have access to what's going on within the Republican party.
Voter turnout was strong for a mid-term election, and throughout the day, precincts saw a steady stream of voters.
Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, or on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Primary election for Florida state Senate District 22 results
