Evan Power endorsed by 16 members of state committee for GOP chairman
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Chair of Leon County Republican Party Evan Power received endorsements from 16 members of the state committee for chairman of the Florida Republican Party.
State GOP Vice Chairman Christian Ziegler is running against Power to replace outgoing Joe Gruters.
Power told Florida’s Voice he is focused on gaining the support of members of the state committee and listed those who endorsed him, including:
- Committeewoman Charlotte Flynt, R-Walton County
- Chairman Hunter Peeler, R-Columbia County
- Chairman Jovante Teague, R-Dixie County
- Committeewoman Lorene Thomas, R-Dixie County
- Committeeman John Doyle Thomas, R-Dixie County
- Committeewoman Caitlin Murray, R-Leon County
- Committeeman David Ramba, R-Leon County
- Committeeman Matt Caldwell, R-Lee County
- Chairman Doug Croley, R-Gadsden County
- Committeeman Lance Watson, R-Gadsden County
- Committeewoman Pam Kyllonen, R-Gadsden County
- Chairman Bill Gaskin, R-Calhoun County
- Committeeman Terell Stolzfus, R-Calhoun County
- Committeeman Roger Busscher, R-Columbia County
- Committeeman Bill Helmich, R-Madison County
- State Committeewoman Mitzi Prater, R-Bay County
Power started his career working for now-Sen. Marco Rubio in the Florida House of Representatives, serving both in the Majority Office and the Procedures and Policy Office where he left after serving as the Legislative Analyst. In 2010, he was elected vice chairman of the Leon County Republican Party and in 2014, he was elected chairman.
Power, who first announced his run in November, said despite having big victories, there are places the GOP can improve and increase turnout.
I think one of the things we have to focus on and keep people motivated on is we don’t have a majority in every school board, we don’t have a majority in every city commission, or county commission. So we need to win those races because if you look at what Democrats are doing, they’re trying to govern on the local level and un-do what we’re doing on a state level. So we have to emphasize those races and work hard to win majorities on all of those commissions.
Evan Power to Florida’s Voice
Power said he has a plan to bolster the party and continue to build infrastructure so that “we can be prepared for elections when Governor DeSantis isn’t leading our ticket – so that we can have successes continue.”
On his to-do list, he said they must continue raising money for the party, build infrastructure, increase training, equip precinct committeemen and women to work their precincts, and increase Republican turnout in the years to come.
Ziegler, who threw his hat into the race in December, said Gruters has done a good job as chairman and that he is ready to fill that seat.
For me, it’s very appealing because obviously I have been vice chairman and have been on the ground helping throughout, but now to be able to take the lead is a passion of mine.’
Ziegler to Florida’s Voice
‘I’m very aggressive. I think until we have every Democrat out of office, our work does not stop. I want to continue to move the state of Florida to the right and continue to make it darker and darker in ruby red and be able to support Governor DeSantis in his legislative agenda. If I could wake up every day and my job is to go after Democrats and stopping the destruction that they are trying to impose on our local community/state/country, that’s a dream job for me.
Ziegler said on his list going forward, the GOP needs to focus on local races, unite as a party and provide a supporting role for DeSantis.
The party will meet on Saturday, Feb. 18 to vote for the next chairman.
