Brevard Republican Executive Committee votes to support Sharon Day for RPOF Chair

Members of the Brevard Republican Executive Committee voted overwhelmingly last night to support Sharon Day in her bid for RPOF Chair in a motion to ascertain the “sense of the body”, with only Chairman Jason Steele and a few others voting against. A resolution (pdf) offering a more detailed statement of support for Day failed with just shy of 50% of the votes, however.

Supporter after supporter took the podium to share why they support Sharon Day as the new Chair of the Republican Party of Florida. The recurring theme expressed by committee members was principles over politics, with members pointing to Day’s refusal last year to sign the Rule 11 letter put forth by Jim Greer that would have allowed the RNC to endorse Governor Charlie Crist over rival Marco Rubio for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez as the hallmark of a principled leader. Other supporters pointed to her years of service and experience as a grassroots volunteer.

Only Chairman Steele spoke in support of Senator Thrasher, saying he would support Sharon Day if the party weren’t in such dire straits, but that extraordinary times call for extraordinary fund-raising abilities, something he believes Day lacks. In spite of the support expressed for Day, Steele said he will cast his vote for Thrasher because he gave his word he would support Thrasher when the deal was made to oust Greer. Steele said he was in a very unpleasant position, and understood how people would be frustrated, but he was a man of his word and had to honor his commitment to support Thrasher. Steele personally endorsed Thrasher last month.

The vote taken by the BREC is significant because it highlights the disconnect between rank and file Republicans and party leadership, including some of the leadership at the county level.

BREC State Committeeman Mike Thomas has intimated he will be voting for Thrasher despite BREC members asking him to vote for Day. Unlike Steele, Thomas has made no mention of any prior commitment to vote for Thrasher, stating only that his vote is his own. Thomas was not present at Thursday’s meeting.

BREC State Committeewoman Carlie Rogers has been a staunch supporter of Sharon Day since the news of Greer’s resignation broke.

There are currently three candidates for RPOF Chair: Florida Senator John Thrasher, RPOF National Committeewoman Sharon Day, and Osceola County State Committeeman Mark Cross. The special election for RPOF Chair is next Saturday, February 20th, at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando. You can get details about and register for the event here.