Duval REC members accused of violating party rules
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FLV) – The president of the Joseph E. Lee Republican Club is accusing members of the Duval County Republican Executive Committee of violating party rules leading up to the March 21 election.
President Shamari Lewis said he filed multiple grievances against REC members for supporting a candidate who was facing a Republican nominee, which the president says is against the rules.
“As the governing body of the Republican Party in Jacksonville, REC members are strictly prohibited from supporting any candidate who is running against a Republican nominee for office,” Lewis said.
“Unfortunately, twenty members of the ironically named group ‘Jax Integrity’ have chosen to disregard that duty by openly supporting a libertarian candidate against our Republican nominee for City Council At-Large Group 1.”
The members who allegedly violated the rules showed support of Libertarian Eric Parker, who ran against Republican Terrance Freeman for Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 1.
Lewis pointed to multiple social media posts from REC members who showed support for Parker instead of Freeman.
“Libertarians support open borders, legalization of all drugs and abortion on demand – all the very antithesis of conservative values,” Lewis said. “These members have forfeited their right to remain on the REC and have actively undermined our efforts to keep Duval County Republican ‘RED.’”
Lewis wrote 19 names of members who he said violated the rules of the committee and said they were part of the “Jax Integrity” group led by Robin Lumb.
Florida’s Voice reached out to Lumb for a comment. Below is his comment related to the REC accusations.
Regarding the alleged “grievances,” the Republican Party of Florida has specific procedures in place that govern this process. If the grievant (Shamari Lewis?) moves forward with any claim alleging grievable conduct both he and the respondents will have the opportunity to present their arguments to members of the RPOF’s Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee, which meets in Tallahassee, has 90 days to schedule a hearing. According to the Republican Party of Florida’s “Rules of Procedure” the respondents are allowed to engage legal counsel for the purpose of representing them in this process. If the respondents prevail, they will be entitled to recover their attorney fees which, as I understand it, will have to be paid by the grievant (Shamari Lewis?). I hope this answers your question.
Robin Lumb
Lewis listed Greg Sapit, Raymond Johnson, Blake Harper, Aaron DiPietro, Nathan DiPietro, Rafielle Usher, Maleana Gay, Mara Macie, Hank Heinold, Carter Jones, Beth Heath, Anthony Ricardo, David Hines, Wade Mask, Betty Hayes, Jeri Carroll, Catherine Del Re, Don Redman, and Bennett Brown.
Rafielle Usher told Florida’s Voice he did not endorse or support Eric Parker.
Usher said the Dr. Rafielle Usher Facebook page, which shared a voters guide recommending Parker for City Council At-Large Group 1, “is a ministry program of O.M.I. International and is not of a sole individual.”
“My personal social media is under Raf Usher. I never made any endorsements of any LPF candidates.”
Several REC members shared a social media “Jacksonville Voter Guide” on Facebook, which picked the Libertarian over the Republican candidate.
Another shared a post from other people showing support for a “Biblical Concepts Ministries” voter guide that promoted Parker.
Others shared a voter guide from Stand4Jax encouraging other “Northeast friends” to share on their social media with Parker’s name on the list.
Some others donated campaign contributions to Parker, according to Lewis and campaign finance records.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include a comment from Rafielle Usher and to update that Shamari Lewis removed Ted Macie from the list.
