#AskJAXTDY | What is a Republican Party committeeman or committeewoman?

Q: Jacksonville Today reader K. C. likes our voting guide , but she wants to learn more about the races for Republican state committeeman and state committeewoman.

A: Florida statute 103.091 says each political party in the state shall be represented by a state executive committee, which consists of at least two members — a man and a woman — from each precinct. They are called the precinct committeeman and committeewoman.

For counties divided into 40 or more precincts, the state executive committee may adopt a county committeeman or committeewoman who “must be a member in good standing of the county executive committee for the county in which the state committeeman or committeewoman is a registered voter.”

The Republican state committeeman and committeewoman represent the county in the Republican Party of Florida. Duval County’s supervisor of elections, Jerry Holland, says three men are running for the committeeman position and four women are running for committeewoman.

“Sometimes only one runs, and it does not show on the ballot,” Holland says in an email. “Also, often there is not a need to have the precinct committeemen and women on ballot unless more than the number permitted in a precinct signs up.”

As to why there is no Democratic Party state committeeman or woman on the ballot, Holland says their operations run through their county executive committee without a public vote.

Right now, Duval County’s Republican Party has Ginger Soud as its state committeewoman and Scott Thomas as its state committeeman, with Rep. Dean Black as its chairman.

No candidates has filed financial reports on the Duval County supervisors of elections website. But many have campaign websites or Facebook pages.

These are the candidates:

• Black’s personal Facebook site says he is “Trusted by President Donald Trump, serving as a Delegate for the President in 2020 & 2024. Husband, Father, Local Businessman, Air Force Veteran, and Florida Representative. Genuine Conservative Who Will Fight For Our Values.”

• Maleana Gay’s Facebook campaign site has a candidate’s statement: “Life-Long Republican | Christian | Conservative | Patriot | Election Integrity Division Lead | Research & Analysis Division Lead | Grassroots Campaign Manager.” And her campaign website states that she “will pave a path to begin unifying the Republican Party of Duval County. Restoring integrity, transparency and accountability is the only way.” She also writes that the committee positions are “the highest-ranking GOP officials in the county.”

• Candidate Nick Harding’s campaign website states that he is “committed to rejuvenating the Republican Party by empowering young leaders, ensuring accountability to voters, and securing the necessary funding for local clubs to thrive.”

• Candidate Ginger Soud’s Facebook site has a list of endorsements: Congressmen Aaron Bean and John Rutherford; Sens. Clay Yarborough and Joe Gruters; Florida FOP President Steve Zona and past FOP President David Stevens.

• Candidate Nathan Tocco’s Facebook site says “Duval needs new GOP leadership for a successful future.” His campaign website states that he is a Jacksonville Beach native, Fletcher High School graduate, former U.S. Navy pilot and Jacksonville police officer. He is currently a commercial pilot.

• Candidate Carol Fisher has nothing on social media or any websites. Neither does candidate Carmen Martinez.

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