I have been an active Reagan Conservative. I worked on the Reagan campaign and I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Reagan, I worked with his Press Secretary, and my wife and I danced at the Reagan’s Inaugural Ball. I have been active in Republican Organizations since that time and I strongly believe in Conservative Republican Principles.
Recently, the Republican Party of Florida sent an expensive mailer to the Republican voters in FL House District 50 (see below). The candidate mailer included a candidate petition endorsing the current Progressive Republican FL House member in District 49 who has recently filed to run for the Fl House District 50 seat. Thus, the Freshman District 49 House member has chosen to abandon his constituents in 2016 and run in the FL House 50 Open primary race with the endorsement of RPOF.
This is 2015! In my opinion, RPOF is attempting to squash Grass-Roots Conservative Candidates from entering the 2016 FL House 50 race by sending out an endorsement mailer and petition with the Republican Party of Florida stamped on the candidate mailer.
This should alarm you as a Conservative Republican! How many Grass-Roots Conservative Candidates will enter into a long FL House race when the RPOF has already blasted Republican mailboxes with their endorsement One Year in advance?
Join me in supporting a fair playing field in Republican Campaigns at the next Republican Executive Committee meeting by voicing your objection to RPOF interference in Grass-Roots Conservative campaigns. RPOF funds are better spent defeating Democrats instead of splitting our Florida Republican Party.
George Collins
Resident of FL House District 50
Without Ethics, Our Corporate and Political Way of Life is Like a House of Cards
What is the sense of doing all this redistricting when the Rpof pushes “their representative” to whichever district they think they can win, when what we want is representation with people that live in the district. Tough luck if you can’t get elected in your district, stay out of ours. Term limits for any elected position is what we will have to go for to stop all this “my turn” to be a politician up the ladder. Go home, stay home.
I admit to having a bias. I LIVE in the district! George Collins represents my core beliefs. While i have heard the name, I barely know Mr. Plascencia, and that is the problem! He ran twice in another district, losing the first time, winning the next time. Good for him and good for his constituents but to now run in another district because you cant win yours after redistricting and having the RPOF spend our money to promote it…well, it is indicative of what is wrong with our party . They totally disrespect the constituency. Leave it up to US! Don’t interfere in primaries!!!
The Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida is promoting a resolution that will be heard by the County Chairman’s Caucus at the RPOF Quarterly meeting in Tampa that calls on the party to stay out of local primaries. This problem is part of the larger issue of campaign finance abuse in general. Please visit our website, comecleanflorida.com for additional information.
Bob White
Chairman
Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida
RPOF and OCREC should stay out of supporting candidates before the primary voters have decided who they prefer. The candidates should raise the money to get through the primary on their own and work at a grassroots level by getting on the ballot by petition or buy their way onto the ballot by paying the required fees to qualify. This is part of the process in vetting and qualifying a potential candidate to run for office. It is not for the faint of heart and it should not be manipulated to give an unfair advantage to an incumbent. Both Republican candidates should be given even footing in running in a primary. Let the best candidate win!
This is very embarrassing to the Republican Party! Why on earth would they support someone like this a year in advance? It is completely unfair and unamerican. Good for you for writing about this and calling them out!
I will not support any individual that does not live in my district and will actively campaign against that person. I would prefer a Conservative Independent but will accept a Democrat otherwise!