Lee County Conservative Leadership Caucus booms as interest grows in grassroots efforts

FORT MYERS, Fla. – In an effort to continue growing the Republican base in Lee County, local activists began the Conservative Leadership Caucus, which has expanded since its inception in February.

Vice Chair Doris Cortese said people are drawn to the group because of its focus on grassroots efforts.

“They want to make sure that our conservative candidates get elected,” Cortese said. “And we are offering them a way to do this.”

What started as a core group of 17 people has expanded to more than 100 members. Cortese explained that the Conservative Leadership Caucus emphasizes its focus on grassroots campaign efforts.

“We emphasize that we are not looking for social members that want to come and hear a speaker,” Cortese said. “We are a grassroots group.”

That includes members actively making phone calls, sending mailers, door knocking and holding fundraisers. For example, at the most recent mailing, more than 80 people volunteered to put together thousands of envelopes, according to Cortese.

“We’d love to have you, but we’re grassroots,” Board Director Brian Wright said. “And that means volunteering. That means not just sending in your membership dues once a year.”

The group’s next mailing will reach out to the Hispanic and No Party Affiliation communities.

“It’s about getting on the phones and working for candidates,” Wright explained.

“They’re very excited about doing things and making sure that our conservative values are adhered to here in Lee County,” Cortese said.

A big motivation behind the group is its ability to endorse one Republican over another. Groups under the Republican Party of Florida umbrella are not allowed to endorse during a primary. On the other hand, the Conservative Leadership Caucus is an independent group.

“If you win the primary, you’re in,” Cortese said.

She used examples including State Attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit who only faced one Republican. Lee County Clerk of Court & Comptroller Kevin Karnes also only had a Republican challenger.

In Lee County, Republicans outweigh Democrats by about 109,000 voter registrations. There are nearly 139,000 people registered as “others,” according to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.

“It’s a good organization to keep Lee County red, red, red,” Wright said.