Tallahassee—Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer released the following statement today regarding the conclusion of the Special Session:
“The Florida Legislature has made some very tough decisions over the past few days, but under the leadership of Governor Crist and Republicans in the House and Senate, Florida’s lawmakers stood firmly against any new taxes on Florida’s families and businesses. Republicans believe the best way to get our economy back on track is to put more money back in consumers’ pockets, not force them to pay more in taxes. Though the challenges facing our state are immense, I am proud of the Legislature’s work to cut the budget and protect taxpayers while ensuring that we continue to provide services to the state’s most vulnerable citizens. “
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Photos of Governor Crist’s Visit to Workforce Plus Job Fair
Governor Charlie Crist’s visit to the job fair organized by Workforce Plus, the regional workforce board that serves Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla counties. Featuring businesses from the Big Bend Area, the job fair provides an opportunity for job seekers to connect with employers recruiting qualified personnel. Workforce Plus provides businesses and prospective employees with employment information and training services tailored to local workforce needs.
For more information, visit www.EmployFlorida.com
For more information, visit www.EmployFlorida.com
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Margaret Spellings to Arne Duncan
The following letter, written by Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to the nation's next Education Secretary, ran in today's Washington Post. Here in Florida, Republicans have long advocated for accountability in our classrooms and providing a first-class education to all students, regardless of their background. We have seen major gains among Florida's African American and Hispanic students, and we have an effective method of tracking students' progress.
A Word To My Successor
By Margaret Spellings
Dear Arne Duncan,
Congratulations! I am so pleased that President-elect Barack Obama has asked you, a fellow reformer, to serve as the next U.S. secretary of education. Your experience as chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools will be invaluable in continuing the work we in the Bush administration began doing to close the achievement gap and provide all children, regardless of race, income level or background, the skills needed to succeed.
This is an important and hopeful change from the past...Thanks to the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act, we now measure student achievement annually so that we can take an honest look at our problems -- the first step toward solving them.
Is it working? Yes. Test scores in reading and math have reached record highs. And the children once left behind -- African American, Hispanic, those living in urban areas -- are driving these academic gains.
...I urge you to resist calls to dismantle the core accountability provisions that give the law its power to identify and help children in need. Without it, we're back to doling out dollars and crossing our fingers...
A Word To My Successor
By Margaret Spellings
Dear Arne Duncan,
Congratulations! I am so pleased that President-elect Barack Obama has asked you, a fellow reformer, to serve as the next U.S. secretary of education. Your experience as chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools will be invaluable in continuing the work we in the Bush administration began doing to close the achievement gap and provide all children, regardless of race, income level or background, the skills needed to succeed.
This is an important and hopeful change from the past...Thanks to the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act, we now measure student achievement annually so that we can take an honest look at our problems -- the first step toward solving them.
Is it working? Yes. Test scores in reading and math have reached record highs. And the children once left behind -- African American, Hispanic, those living in urban areas -- are driving these academic gains.
...I urge you to resist calls to dismantle the core accountability provisions that give the law its power to identify and help children in need. Without it, we're back to doling out dollars and crossing our fingers...
Monday, January 12, 2009
Annual Meeting News Highlights
Photo Courtesy of Bill Cotterell
Here's how Florida's illustrious political reporters covered the RPOF's Annual Meeting and Chairman Greer's re-election over the weekend. Highlights are below, but we'd be remiss not to note that each reported on the challenges facing the RPOF, including the importance of voter registration, especially among African Americans and Hispanics, and the need to better utilize technology.
The St. Pete Times' Adam Smith got it right, saying "Florida Republicans overwhelmingly re-elected Jim Greer to another term as state party chairman Saturday, in an election that served partly as a referendum on the GOP leadership's focus on moderation and inclusion."
Tallahassee's own Bill Cotterell, who covers both the RPOF's and FDP's inner workings with gusto, notes, "The party's annual meeting drew an unusually heavy turnout of big names — not just for Greer, but for the 2010 U.S. Senate race, as Sen. Mel Martinez of Orlando is retiring and ex-Gov. Jeb Bush has said he will not run for the seat. Despite the loss of two U.S. House seats, one state legislative post and the state's 27 presidential electoral votes, the mood was upbeat as a succession of GOP leaders said party prospects in Florida are far better than in most other states that President-elect Barack Obama carried on Nov. 4. 'Jimmy, I love ya, you're a great man,' Crist said at a reception before the big meeting. 'This is a celebration.'"
The AP's Brendan Farrington reports, "Greer said he will create a 'registration action team' to immediately begin registering voters rather than waiting for the 2010election."
The Miami Herald's Beth Reinhard, who conducted one of the Chairman's first interviews when he was elected at the annual meeting two years ago, notes, "...the party fared better in Florida than in other states in 2008, losing only one seat in Congress and another in the Legislature. Gov. Charlie Crist remains popular, despite the tanking economy," and gets an exclusive quote from The Maestro.
The Herald-Trib's Jeremy Wallace sums up the clear start of the U.S. Senate campaign: "Though GOP quarterly meetings are rarely scintillating events, the buzz from the looming U.S. Senate seat had everyone talking for the two days in Orlando."
"...Apparently Greer’s version of The Kings last No. 1 hit went over alright. On Saturday when the party faithful gathered to vote on a new chairman, Greer won 169 votes to 52 votes for Eric D. Miller, a Martin County Republican."
Saturday, January 10, 2009
RPOF State Committee Elects Officers
Orlando–The State Committee of the Republican Party of Florida today elected executive officers for the 2008-2010 Election Cycle. Allen Cox was re-elected Vice Chairman, Joel Pate was re-elected Treasurer, and Donna Solze was re-elected Secretary. Darryl Gunter was re-elected Assistant Secretary and Allen Miller re-elected Assistant Treasurer. Additionally, Chairman Greer appointed Delmar Johnson to serve as Executive Director of the Republican Party of Florida.
“I would like to congratulate our executive officers on their elections today,” said Chairman Greer. “Their dedication enabled our party to celebrate many victories on the state and local level this past election cycle, and I look forward to working with them to build our partylooking to 2010 and beyond.
“We had many outstanding candidates for our party officers, and I look forward to their continued input and guidance as we move forward,” continue Greer. “I would particularly like to recognize Adineyi Aderibge, one of the state committee’s youngest members for his campaign for assistant treasurer. Young Republicans are the future of our great party and I am grateful for Adineyi’s leadership.”
“Additionally, I am proud to appoint Delmar Johnson to serve as the Executive Director of the RPOF during the 2008-2010 Election Cycle,” said Chairman Greer. “Delmar is an energetic and dedicated servant of our party, and I am confident our party will continue to accomplish great things under his leadership.
Delmar has served the RPOF in a variety of capacities over the last several years. Most recently he served as a Deputy Executive Director, covering Operations and Finance. Delmar previously worked on the Charlie Crist for Governor Campaign, and in the Executive Office of Governor Jeb Bush. Delmar graduated from Florida State University where he served as Student Body President and the first named member of the FSU Board of Trustees.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the RPOF in this capacity and will work diligently with Chairman Greer and the entire Republican Party of Florida to energize our grassroots volunteers and ensure that the Republican Party continues to develop political strategies which will defeat Democrats and elect Republicans,” said Executive Director Delmar Johnson.
“On behalf of the entire Republican Party of Florida, I want to thank Jim Rimes for his vigilance and commitment to our party over the last two years,” continued Greer. “Jim will be greatly missed, and we wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.”
RPOF Executive Director Jim Rimes will return to his political consulting business with Enwright Consulting Group, based in Tallahassee. Jim has served as the Executive Director of the RPOF during the 2006-2008 Election Cycle, after service as a Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of Governor Crist and as the Director of Operations on the Charlie Crist for Governor Campaign.
“I would like to congratulate our executive officers on their elections today,” said Chairman Greer. “Their dedication enabled our party to celebrate many victories on the state and local level this past election cycle, and I look forward to working with them to build our partylooking to 2010 and beyond.
“We had many outstanding candidates for our party officers, and I look forward to their continued input and guidance as we move forward,” continue Greer. “I would particularly like to recognize Adineyi Aderibge, one of the state committee’s youngest members for his campaign for assistant treasurer. Young Republicans are the future of our great party and I am grateful for Adineyi’s leadership.”
“Additionally, I am proud to appoint Delmar Johnson to serve as the Executive Director of the RPOF during the 2008-2010 Election Cycle,” said Chairman Greer. “Delmar is an energetic and dedicated servant of our party, and I am confident our party will continue to accomplish great things under his leadership.
Delmar has served the RPOF in a variety of capacities over the last several years. Most recently he served as a Deputy Executive Director, covering Operations and Finance. Delmar previously worked on the Charlie Crist for Governor Campaign, and in the Executive Office of Governor Jeb Bush. Delmar graduated from Florida State University where he served as Student Body President and the first named member of the FSU Board of Trustees.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the RPOF in this capacity and will work diligently with Chairman Greer and the entire Republican Party of Florida to energize our grassroots volunteers and ensure that the Republican Party continues to develop political strategies which will defeat Democrats and elect Republicans,” said Executive Director Delmar Johnson.
“On behalf of the entire Republican Party of Florida, I want to thank Jim Rimes for his vigilance and commitment to our party over the last two years,” continued Greer. “Jim will be greatly missed, and we wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.”
RPOF Executive Director Jim Rimes will return to his political consulting business with Enwright Consulting Group, based in Tallahassee. Jim has served as the Executive Director of the RPOF during the 2006-2008 Election Cycle, after service as a Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of Governor Crist and as the Director of Operations on the Charlie Crist for Governor Campaign.
Greer Wins Re-Election
Orlando–Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer was today elected to serve a second term as RPOF Chairman by 77 percent of the RPOF State Committee at the RPOF Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
“I am grateful to the members of the State Committee and to Florida Republicans for putting their trust my leadership at this critical time in the history of our great party,” said Chairman Greer. “I am humbled by their confidence and look forward to working hard over the next two years to build our party.”
The Chairman was endorsed in his re-election bid by Governor Crist, Senator Martinez, Lt. Governor Kottkamp, President Atwater, Speaker Sansom, General McCollum, Commissioner Bronson and Members of the Florida’s Congressional delegation. Additionally, National Committeeman Paul Senft and National Committeewoman Sharon Day endorsed Chairman Greer.
“Under Chairman Greer’s leadership, the Republican Party of Florida has become the preeminent state party in the country,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “Jim has been on the forefront of the nationwide effort to grow the party’s minority outreach and coalitions programs and is recognized as a national leader in this important endeavor. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Greer to spread the Republican message across our great state.”
“Chairman Greer has diligently worked to build our party in all areas including: providing additional resources to our grassroots volunteers, financial assistance to our County Republican Executive Committees, fundraising and enhancing our communication methods while promoting professionalism throughout the Party,” said National Committeeman Senft.
Chairman Greer has pledged to focus his second term on continuing to build the Republican Party of Florida through voter registration and outreach, maintaining the successful county rural and grants initiative programs and creating a speakers bureau. Additionally, the Chairman will create a Voter Registration Task Force and a Technology Committee. The Voter Registration Task Force will be charged with creating and executing programs designed to strengthen the involvement of Republicans in the voter registration process. The Technology Committee will be responsible for creating innovative ideas to get out the vote while raising Republican awareness through the use of up-to-the-minute technology.
“I realize that the honor of serving as Chairman comes with a great responsibility to lead our Party with energy, new ideas and an unwavering commitment to our Party’s long standing values and principles of less government, less taxes and more freedom,” concluded Greer.
“I am grateful to the members of the State Committee and to Florida Republicans for putting their trust my leadership at this critical time in the history of our great party,” said Chairman Greer. “I am humbled by their confidence and look forward to working hard over the next two years to build our party.”
The Chairman was endorsed in his re-election bid by Governor Crist, Senator Martinez, Lt. Governor Kottkamp, President Atwater, Speaker Sansom, General McCollum, Commissioner Bronson and Members of the Florida’s Congressional delegation. Additionally, National Committeeman Paul Senft and National Committeewoman Sharon Day endorsed Chairman Greer.
“Under Chairman Greer’s leadership, the Republican Party of Florida has become the preeminent state party in the country,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “Jim has been on the forefront of the nationwide effort to grow the party’s minority outreach and coalitions programs and is recognized as a national leader in this important endeavor. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Greer to spread the Republican message across our great state.”
“Chairman Greer has diligently worked to build our party in all areas including: providing additional resources to our grassroots volunteers, financial assistance to our County Republican Executive Committees, fundraising and enhancing our communication methods while promoting professionalism throughout the Party,” said National Committeeman Senft.
Chairman Greer has pledged to focus his second term on continuing to build the Republican Party of Florida through voter registration and outreach, maintaining the successful county rural and grants initiative programs and creating a speakers bureau. Additionally, the Chairman will create a Voter Registration Task Force and a Technology Committee. The Voter Registration Task Force will be charged with creating and executing programs designed to strengthen the involvement of Republicans in the voter registration process. The Technology Committee will be responsible for creating innovative ideas to get out the vote while raising Republican awareness through the use of up-to-the-minute technology.
“I realize that the honor of serving as Chairman comes with a great responsibility to lead our Party with energy, new ideas and an unwavering commitment to our Party’s long standing values and principles of less government, less taxes and more freedom,” concluded Greer.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Elvis and the U.S. Senate
The Miami Herald's Beth Reinhard reports from the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, where the RPOF is holding its annual meeting, about possible Republican U.S. Senate candidates.
Suspicious minds want to know: Who's running for the U.S. Senate?
Jim Greer, the musically inclined chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, did not break from tradition tonight. He yanked off his tie, hiked up his collar, and launched into Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" at a party reception at the Rosen Shingle Creek hotel in Orlando.
Tomorrow the state party will hold its election, but there's little doubt about whether Greer will win another term. The suspense is over who will run for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated in 2010 by Mel Martinez, now that former Gov. Jeb Bush has said he's not interested.
All the would-be candidates worked the room tonight: Attorney General Bill McCollum, former House Speaker Marco Rubio, and U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Connie Mack. Rubio appears to be the most likely candidate in the bunch, and a fundraiser for former U.S. Rep. Ric Keller waited patiently to introduce herself.
If there's a frontrunner, it would be McCollum, since he has already run statewide. But he would have to give up his Cabinet post for an office that has eluded him twice before.
"I thought Jeb was going to run, and I was wrong,'' McCollum said. "I haven't done the examination I need to do yet ... Being attorney general is a great job, and that's part of the equation.''
Photo courtesy of Beth Reinhard, Miami Herald
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