Gruters Says Scott Never Promised Him State GOP Chairmanship

Rick Scott won the GOP party nomination for governor, and while he was in Sarasota on the campaign trail he had some special praise for local Republican Party chair Joe Gruters -- even going as far as saying Gruters should be the next head of the Republican Party for the state.

Gruters introduced Scott to voters at the Dutch Heritage Restaurant back in July -- and Scott gave an impromptu endorsement of his own.

"We all know that the next chairman of the Republican Party ought to be Joe, because he has done such a wonderful job in Sarasota," Scott said.

The McCollum campaign warned that Scott promised the position to Gruters, but Gruters told SNN Local News 6 this is not true.

However, the positive relationship that they developed and the fact that Sarasota County voters choose Scott, could put the area on the political map for Scott's future plans.

"Rick Scott carried Sarasota County and I think that over time when he's looking around the state to try to decide where to go and people to go visit I think he'll probably look at Sarasota," Gruters said.

When asked if he would consider the position, Gruters said he would look at the option after the election.