GOP has some ballot surprises

Heard recently from a Citrus County Republican operative. 

“Have you seen the sample ballots?” she asked.

I had not. Was there some race that jumped in without anyone knowing?

Yes and no.

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I hesitate to write about this because, seriously, so few people care or even notice. But it’s on the ballot, so we should probably discuss it some.

I’m referring to the lofty positions of Citrus County Republican state committeeman, state committeewoman, and precinct person.

My friend, a Republican through and through, is alarmed that the hierarchy of the county Republican Party is on the primary ballot, and few are paying attention. Her concern is folks who don’t necessarily have the community’s best interest will get elected by voters whose minds are elsewhere.

Because it’s Tuesday, and little else on my immediate plate, we’re going to break this down some.

First off, most people do not subscribe to the inner workings of a political party. Sure, we may be registered Republicans or Democrats, and some vote along party lines, but the number of people actively involved in the party is a tiny fraction of registered voters.

In each county, that method of government, so to speak, is the executive committee. The committee is composed of representatives from each precinct. The executive committee elects officers, such as party chairman. The committee’s job is, as expected, to support candidates for office and the party platform.

State committee members are liaisons between the local party and state/national parties. Generally, the highest positions in a county party are chairman, state committeeman, and state committewoman.

I know…riveting. Still with me?

Now. In most years the local parties have plenty of vacancies and appoint from within. I’d like to explain the rules for how a precinct position ends up on the ballot. I’d also like to explain nuclear fission. Think I’ll pass.

The Republican party, as we all know, has been in flux the last eight years. A party that used to stay out of our business is now totally in our business. In Citrus County the library seems to be the point of contention, and many right-leaning Republicans want very much to decide what the rest of us can read.

The Citrus County Republican Executive Committee, which exists to support Republican candidates, has attempted to force national issues of GOP importance down our throats.

Remember the border resolution? The GOP Executive Committee passed a resolution calling for the governor to send in troops to protect our borders. The committee asked Commissioner Diana Finegan to bring it up at a County Commission meeting for a vote, which she did.

The resolution eventually passed, but the political fallout was significant. I’ve seen several emails to Finegan from GOPers since then, asking for board support of Donald Trump or some Republican-based policy. Her response: No, thank you.

The concern among some of the more traditional Republicans is that voters willy-nilly will elect precinct people who are Library Guy Gang aficionados, those hoping to earn stripes with the Moms for Liberty crowd by bringing chaos to Citrus County.

Well, I’m not going to research the candidates. Sorry, voters, you need to do some of that work on your own.

A few names popped out, though:

— State Committeeman candidates: Mike Belkin, Bruce Bryn, Tony Dimino, and Greg Hoying. No comment.


— State Committeewoman: Janet Barek, Tracy Edgmon, Sarah Huggett, and Elaine Kleid. Good time to mention that it’s perfectly normal for elected politicians to serve on the local executive committee. Janet Barek is in the running for County Commission District 3.


— Precinct 108 (Pine Ridge) State Committeewoman: Six candidates, the top four vote-getters are elected. Commissioner Ruthie Davis Schlabach is one of the six.


— Precinct 109 (Pine Ridge) has selections for both precinct men and women. One of the candidates is the current sheriff’s wife.


— Precinct 201 (Hernando) has five precinct committeewoman candidates, with the top four being elected. Candidates include Avis Craig, who’s been involved in the county Republican Party for as long as I remember and Tifani Long, who is running for supervisor of elections.


— Precinct 208 (Citrus Hills) has elections for both men and woman. Candidates include Scott Hebert, who is running for superintendent of schools, and his wife Sarah.


— Precinct 209 (Citrus Hills) has four candidates for committeewoman, with the top three elected. The ballot includes retiring Clerk of Courts Angela Vick.


— Precinct 300 (Lecanto) has five precinct men on the ballot, with three getting elected. I recognize two names — Stephen Mecler and Gilbert Phelan — as proud members of the Library Guy Gang. Also on this ballot: Jesse Rumson. Glad he could make it.

Whew. That’s enough for today. Enjoy it, friends.

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