Trump picks area politician for Amtrak board

SARASOTA — President Donald Trump nominated Sarasota politician Joe Gruters to serve on the Amtrak board of directors for the remainder of a five-year term.

According to a White House press release, the term would expire Oct. 4, 2022.

Gruters also serves in the Florida House of Representatives for District 73, which covers parts of Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Gruters was the co-chairman of Trump's Florida presidential campaign. He is also the former campaign manager of U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key.

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Gruters twice to serve as a member of the Florida State University board of trustees, where he chaired the finance and audit committee.

Gruters is a CPA and owns Paoli & Gruters Certified Public Accountants.