Vice President Mike Pence paid a visit to the Republican Party of Florida in Orlando, headlining the party’s annual fundraiser Thursday evening.
Pence was the star of this year’s event at the Grand Floridian Resort, but other attendees included House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart and two members of the Florida Cabinet: Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Commissioner of Agriculture and GOP gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam.
Trump and the GOP have sent Pence around the country to help rally support for the party, which is already working overtime to prevent Democrats from making gains in the 2018 midterm elections.
Last year, Florida helped tipped the scales in favor of the GOP when Trump took a plurality of the state’s vote, gathering 49 percent while Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’ pulled 47.8 percent.
Pence thanked the crowd of Republicans for their help in sending Trump to the White House earlier this year. Trump was a first-time candidate with no political experience and his victory over a longtime politician was considered one of the most historic presidential elections in American history.
“We all know that the surest path to the strongest comeback requires renewing the promise of America – and I’m here tonight to tell you that President Trump is doing exactly that by rolling back the heavy hand of government,” Pence said.
Under Trump, Pence told the crowd, Americans are thinking more positively than ever. Pence highlighted the need for tax reform and tax cuts as ways Republicans could reach the American people.
“"We're going to save people time. We're going to save people money. We're going to simplify the tax code, once and for all," said Pence. “The President and I are committed to working with all of Florida’s Republican leaders in the Congress to give the American people the kind of tax cuts and tax reform that will make the American economy great again.”
RPOF chairman Blaise Ingoglia didn’t waste any time taking shots at the Democratic Party, which he believes doesn’t “get” the average American voter.
“In 369 days, we will be back at the polls and I hope you take this Statesman’s Dinner as a rallying cry for the 2018 midterm elections, kicking off support for solid Republican candidates whose ideals of free markets, less government, and lower taxes will make for a stronger and more prosperous Florida and United States of America,” Ingoglia said.
Tickets for the dinner cost $100 for college Republicans and prices increased based on party member duties. Republican Executive Committee members paid $150 a head while general admission cost $200.
Pence has been making his rounds in other parts of the country to help out other state Republican parties as well. Pence headlined the Tennessee Republican Party’s annual fundraiser over the summer and embarked on a fundraising tour in California earlier this month.
Pence is not only raising money for the Republican Party, but he will also be using the multi-city, multi-state stops to raise cash for Trump’s reelection efforts for 2020.
The former Indiana governor is well-versed in Republican party politics, especially fundraising. Pence served for 12 years in Congress, rising to become part of the GOP's leadership,
Not only does Pence have strong fundraising capabilities, he also has a star power which could help Republicans build up a rapport with party faithful and general voters Pence brought over 1,400 people to an Iowa statesman dinner earlier this summer. Last year he headlined the RPOF’s 2016 Victory Dinner in Tampa when he was a vice presidential candidate.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
