Evan Power wins Florida GOP chairman election
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Evan Power won the Republican Party of Florida’s election for chairman on Monday, succeeding Christian Ziegler, who was removed from the position by vote the same day.
Power won the election 135-65, defeating Republican National Committeeman Peter Feaman, his main opponent in the competition.
The Florida GOP announced Power’s victory over a social media post.
“Congratulations to our new Chairman, @EvanPower. Under his strong leadership, we will Keep Florida RED, deliver Florida’s 30 electoral votes to the GOP presidential candidate, and elect Republicans up and down the ballot. Let’s get to work!” the party said.
The Leon County GOP chairman amassed several big endorsements, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and several Florida congressmen and legislators.
Power called for a January meeting to officially vote on Ziegler’s fate as the state party’s chairman. The party voted to censure the former chairman in December due to his involvement in an ongoing sexual assault investigation.
The decision to hold the election in January came as a controversial move for some, arguing that Power was attempting to ram through the procedure in order to get an advantage over Feaman.
A petition was sent out to party members across the state, demanding that the chairman election not be held in Tallahassee or on the January date that it was called for.
“Evan should make time to campaign for the position like everyone else!” the petition said. “Rigging the Tallahassee election to be unfair for other candidates does not bring this party together. It makes us more divided than ever.”
“Our constitution clearly says the chairman term is for two years or until his successor is elected,” Power had said in response. “Anyone trying to extend Christian Ziegler’s term is not interested in what is best for our Party.”
“This is the time for our party to unify and move forward, not a time to engage outside groups to create controversy where there isn’t any,” he said.
