Donald Trump to return to Sarasota

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Donald Trump is coming back to Sarasota.

More than two years after accepting the Statesman of the Year award from Sarasota Republicans, the real estate tycoon and reality television star has tentatively agreed to return to speak to the local GOP at a event that is still in the planning stages.

Sarasota County Republican Party Chairman Joe Gruters told the Sarasota Republican Club Thursday that he and Trump’s staff are working out the schedule to set a date.

Donald Trump speaks at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota. (Staff photo / Dan Wagner)

Donald Trump speaks at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota. (Staff photo / Dan Wagner)

In 2012, Trump spoke to more than 1,000 people in Sarasota on the eve of the Republican National Convention. At the time, it was the local Republican Party’s largest event ever and Gruters credits the visit with helping Sarasota solidify its reputation as a must-stop location for Republicans interested in running for president.

Trump told the Washington Post earlier this week he is again seriously considering running for president in 2016. He said he has begun hiring staffers in preparation for a potential campaign.

“Everybody feels I’m doing this just to have fun or because it’s good for the brand,” Trump said in the Post interview.

“Well, it’s not fun. I’m not doing this for enjoyment. I’m doing this because the country is in serious trouble.”

Trump’s visit could serve as a counterweight to the Rev. Al Sharpton, who is also scheduled to be in Sarasota this spring. Sharpton, one of the nation’s most well-known and controversial civil rights activists, is delivering the keynote address at the Howard Club of Southwest Florida’s 10th annual scholarship luncheon March 28.

Sharpton, who ran for president in 2008, has an ability to get under the skin of Republicans much like Trump upsets Democrats.

Gruters a Trump return reinforces his efforts to get all of the big potential GOP presidential aspirants to visit Sarasota. Already, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, former Gov. Jeb Bush, former Texas Gov. Ted Cruz, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio stopped here since early 2014.

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Jeremy Wallace

Jeremy Wallace has covered politics for more than 15 years. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4966. ""More Wallace" Make sure to "Like" HT Politics on Facebook for all your breaking political news.
Last modified: February 28, 2015
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