Brevard Republicans pass resolution condemning primary endorsements

Local party just says ‘no’ to primary endorsements

In a move bound to shock some party officials, the Brevard County Republican leadership voted May 14, on a resolution condemning the actions of the state and national organizations for interfering with state and local decisions.

The resolution comes on the heels of the announcement that the NRSC has already taken sides in the primary election to nominate a candidate to replace outgoing Republican U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez. The NRSC, National Republican Senatorial Committee, and arm of the Republican National Committee, has announced it will support Gov. Charlie Crist as Martinez’s replacement. There are at least two other Republicans announced in the primary election, including conservative former Speaker of the Florida House, Marco Rubio.

“This is another example of trying to govern from the top down, and if we want our party to succeed, and grow, we need to trust the grassroots, we need to trust our Republican voters,” said Brevard Republican Chairman Jason Steele. “We cannot revitalize our party, and demonstrate that we are truly the party of the people, of individual liberties and responsibility, if we are dictated to from above. It is Florida, and Floridians need to be allowed to hear from all the candidates.”

In a move designed less to condemn any one candidate than to condemn the national organization for its interference, the Brevard Republican Executive Committee, which is elected to govern the party locally, voted to step away from the larger umbrella organization during this race, and formally renounce the decision support Gov. Crist.

“We have an obligation to Brevard voters to assure the most fair and impartial election process,” said Steele. “We have a duty to our party and to our citizens to stand up for the voters who we represent, and that means even against our own party leaders. We are still Republicans, but we have a duty to lead, and that is what we will do.”

This move by the BREC and local party could have statewide implications for the candidates also. Typically, party leaders say, Brevard has been an excellent gauge for the state in the primary election. For the past decade, Brevard voters have been consistently on the side of winning statewide candidates, and while Gov. Crist shows a narrow lead in most polls at this early date, a shift from Brevard voters and leaders could tighten an already tight primary race, and even cost the popular governor the race. Party officials say this is not the goal, but that the NRSC should have considered the consequences of their interference.

“We are not taking sides at this point, but we are taking a stand against being told who to support, and how to vote from on high,” said Steele. “We trust the voters, and we are demanding that party leaders trust them as well.”

Here is the actual resolution that was passed: