In anticipation of expected trouble from the RPOF and its Chair, Rep. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill), last evening the Orange County Republican Executive Committee took preemptive action by voting unanimously to approve a group of three stand-alone campaign finance accounts. The accounts would be activated only if there was sufficient reason to believe there may be hostility from Ingoglia or RPOF in an ongoing feud over the House Speakership for the 2021 Legislative term. In remarks last evening to OCREC members prior to the vote being taken, Oliver explained, “What we have is a scenario where there is a potential incentive for the state party to look at our nominees in general election and decide that our state party chairman has a better chance of becoming Speaker of the Florida House if those 3 nominees in the general election lose to a Democrat”. Central Florida House districts 30, 47 and 49 are considered to be battleground districts in Orange County.
Oliver expressed hope that these accounts would not have to be activated; the money in these accounts would be available ONLY in the general election, not during the primary season. Reaction from OCREC members was generally positive. Peter Vivaldi, local business executive and possible candidate for House District 49 stated, “It feels good to know that there is a group here in Orange County that is going to stand up.” Brian Empric, Vice President of the Florida Federation of Young Republicans, expressed similar feelings, adding, “we want to make sure there are Republican in those seats the next couple of years too.”
Reaction from Ingoglia and members of RPOF outside Orange County remains to be determined, but perhaps will become known this weekend as the RPOF conducts their quarterly meetings in Tampa, starting today.
