DeSantis, Rubio to rally with Manatee and Sarasota GOP candidates near Bradenton

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio are among speakers scheduled for a rally organized by the Republican parties of Manatee and Sarasota counties this summer.

The event is set for July 16 at Robarts Arena on the Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. The event and planned political speakers were announced Tuesday, and they include GOP officials, state and U.S. lawmakers.

In addition to DeSantis and Rubio, attendees are expected to hear from Lt. Gov. Jeannette Nunez, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, state Sen. Joe Gruters and state Sen. Jim Boyd, the Republican Party of Sarasota announced.

In a social media post, the organization described the rally as a “regional blowout.”

Local Republican officials and GOP political candidates from around Bradenton and Sarasota are among other expected guests.

Both DeSantis and Rubio’s names have been floated as potential 2024 GOP presidential candidates.

In the interim, DeSantis is vying to re-win the governor’s office in the 2022 midterms, and Rubio faces a challenge for his Senate seat from Florida Congresswoman Val Demings.

Doors for the event will open at 10 a.m. July 16, and speeches are expected to begin at 11:30 a.m.