As the battle to become the next chairman of the Republican Party of Florida enters its final week, candidates angling for the post continue to unveil endorsements.
Joe Gruters, who leads the Republicans in Sarasota County, announced that he had the backing of Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Bennett of Bradenton, Sen. Anitere Flores of Miami and Sen. Steven Wise of Jacksonville -- as well as the support of three former senators in Lisa Carlton, Tim Deratany and Pat Neal RPOF vice chairwoman Debbie Cox-Roush, who is also running to be RPOF chair, announced on Monday that Liliana Ros, the state committeewoman from Miami-Dade, was backing her bid While the battle for the top spot at the RPOF is getting all the attention, there are candidates running to replace Cox-Roush as vice chair, including Allen Cox who held the position before, and Duval County GOP boss Lenny Curry
On Monday, Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan hosted an open house for constituents at his new office in Sarasota Speaking of Buchanan, his work in Washington on fiscal matters is getting some attention from Pass the BBA, an organization fighting for Congress to pass a balanced budget. Pass the BBA praised Buchanan for introducing, in the opening days of the new Congress, a proposed constitutional amendment mandating a federal balanced budget. While Pass the BBA is headed by Ohio Republican Ken Blackwell, Floridians are a bit more familiar with the groups vice chairman -- former House Majority Leader Adam Hasner who is still weighing taking on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012 Newly inaugurated Florida Republican U.S. Rep. David Rivera was one of the many Americans impacted by the snowy weather this weekend. Rivera was stuck in Atlanta and not able to attend events in Miami on Monday
The Economic Club of Florida continues to bring impressive speakers to Tallahassee. On Friday, the club will be addressed by Bob Graham, the former governor and U.S. senator, who is currently co-chairing the national commission investigating the Gulf oil spill. Graham will be joined by Terry Garcia, a vice president of the National Geographic Society who serves on the commission, talking about the spill and the future of offshore drilling ... Dan Conston, who handled the media and communications, for the Republican Party of Florida, is headed up to Washington. Conston will be working for his old boss, U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., who is part of the new congressional leadership, serving as chief deputy whip. Conston will be Roskams communications director House Democrats Rep. Dwayne Taylor of Daytona Beach and Rep. Alan Williams of Tallahassee hosted hip-hop artists in the Capitol on Thursday in astrategy session to plan development efforts for, and focus attention on, Floridas historically black colleges and universities
Former Gov. Jeb Bush will continue his attempt to woo Hispanic voters for the Republicans this week when he co-chairs the Hispanic Leadership Network conference in Coral Gables. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is considering launching a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, will be speaking to the group on Friday With the anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaching, pro-life advocates across Florida are preparing marches for their cause across the state. A march for life will be held in St. Augustine on Saturday while another one will be held in Tampa on Jan. 22 Lobbyist and Republican strategist Bill Hebrock passed away last week at the age of 55. Hebrock advised, among others, Bob Martinez, Bush and Charlie Crist.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
