Democrats and Independents are perplexed. Why is a Republican Primary on my ballot? A face-off between incumbent State Senator Joe Gruters and out-of-town challenger Michael Johnson is on every voter’s August 23rd ballot. When all candidates for an elected office are in the same party, the winner won’t have an opponent in the November General Election. Therefore, voters of all parties and no party vote in a “Universal” Primary Election for that office. August 23rd is the final election for State Senator, because no Democrat or other party candidate is running. (There are also some universal primaries for local Board seats.)

The Sarasota Democratic Party does not support or endorse either candidate; neither represents Democratic values.

Check out the below links for more information on these two Republican candidates.

https://tinyurl.com/ymcjtyrw
Zac Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 7-13-22

https://tinyurl.com/yc6hbspv
Jacob Ogles, Florida Politics, June 19, 2022

Joe Gruters Info –
FaceBook – https://www.facebook.com/JoeGrutersFL
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/JoeGrutersFL
Twitter – https://twitter.com/joegruters?fbclid=IwAR2Q3TNecDswk0BSviMDMFbyDAEbvV5E6l63csnDDuoYhBV3qzhV-i0evHU
Website – http://www.joegruters.com/?fbclid=IwAR1ubZVTh8qN0V2HZmtdw4CB7FcLzUibGzdBg_GDQAGfH0WexnW2DHQEwnQ

Michael Johnson Info – No Website or Social Media
Grassroots for America – https://www.grassrootsforamerica.org/