Calling on Republicans “to take back our federal government," state Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), and Gov. Rick Scott kicked off the Sunshine Summit in Orlando on Friday morning, vowing to win Florida in the 2016 presidential elections.
With 14 Republican presidential candidates speaking at the event, Ingoglia took aim at former U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Clinton, the favorite for the Democratic presidential nomination.
“Today is Friday the 13th,” Ingoglia said. “There is nothing scarier than Hillary Clinton in the White House.
“We must defeat Hillary Clinton,” Ingoglia added. “We are going to do that with our message.”
Ingoglia insisted the Republicans would do well by pushing a smaller government and more free market options while Clinton will only add more regulations and expand the government.
While he slammed Democrats as divisive, Ingoglia quoted Ronald Reagan and warned about a divisive primary, calling out “bomb throwers” in the GOP ranks who insist on candidates being 100 percent in agreement with them.
Ingoglia left no room for doubt that he thought the Sunshine State remained the largest swing state on the map in the 2016 presidential race.
“We must win the White House in 2016,” Ingoglia said. “The only way to do that is to win the great state of Florida.”
Labeling the Republicans the “Grand Opportunity Party,” Ingoglia called for Republicans to “be extraordinary” in 2016 by standing against big government and the Democrats.
“The future of this party can no longer wait my friends," Ingoglia said in conclusion. “The future of this party starts now.”
Pointing to Florida’s economic record, Scott stressed the importance of electing fiscal conservatives as he spoke at the Sunshine Summit. Scott noted the gains Florida’s economy had made during his time in Tallahassee, noting the creation of 1 million jobs.
Scott also made the case for his $1 billion tax cut proposal, most of which will go to Florida‘s manufacturers. Looking ahead to 2016, Scott said the nation needed a president who “will destroy ISIS” and push for conservative economic solutions.
Seven of the Republican presidential candidates will be speaking on Friday with another seven taking the stage on Saturday. Four candidates running to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. will also be speaking at the event.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
