Republicans to pick which one to endorse

PORT CHARLOTTE — There’s an impromptu election planned Friday for Charlotte County Republican Executive Committee members.

After hearing short speeches, they can pick Republican candidates to endorse in the upcoming election.

Charlotte County Republican Party Chairman Bill Abbatematteo invited all Republicans on the ballot for the vote.

In a letter, Abbatematteo wrote the Charlotte County Republican Party voted 45-17 on June 27 to “consider” making endorsements in 10 of the Aug. 20 primary or School Board races.

The Executive Committee gave candidates a 10-day notice of the meeting.

The Florida and county Republican parties “may endorse, certify, screen, or recommend a Republican candidate in a contested Republican primary, or a registered Republican in a nonpartisan election,” he wrote.

Judicial candidates cannot seek an endorsement and “will not be invited to attend,” he wrote.

Each is offered five minutes to speak “for or against” the issue of endorsement and their candidacy.

Many candidates said they have scheduling conflicts.

On Thursday, Charlotte County commissioners Bill Truex, Ken Dohety and Joe Tiseo left for the National Association of Counties convention in Tampa. It’s a trip planned months ago and paid for by taxpayers.

“I serve on four committees, two task forces, the immigration and international economic task force as well as running for second vice president of the organization,” said Truex, who is running to keep his District 3 seat. “I don’t plan on sending anyone to the REC on my behalf.”

His opponent Hal Daniels is out of town on a business trip and won’t be there.

Tiseo also isn’t sending anyone to give a speech for him.

“The endorsement has no standards, process or protocols to determine which Republican is better than the other,” he said. “Therefore, the process is not transparent nor fair for any of the candidates. It undermines those principles that Republicans value. Choosing the best candidate should be reserved for the voters at the ballot box.”

David Kesselring, who is challenging Tiseo for his District 5 seat, is attending.

“Grassroots folks that are more conservative and more aligned with the actual Republican platform have a majority in the REC,” he said. “It may help Republicans who want the more non-establishment candidates to know who to vote for if they get endorsements.”

Kesselring said candidates had opportunities to speak at various meetings and venues.

By endorsing one Republican candidate over another, the Charlotte County REC forfeits a rebate from the Republican Party of Florida.

All Republican Executive Committees in the state receive 2% of the qualifying fees. The Charlotte County REC will have to return the $19,330 to the state after the Friday vote to endorse candidates.

Charlotte County’s Supervisor of Election Leah Valenti, who is running for reelection, will not be there Friday due to a conflict. Valenti, who was appointed to the post by Gov. Ron DeSantis, is facing a challenge from David Kalin.

She said the process seems “one-sided.”

“I don’t believe this is principled,” she said. “How can a party of fiscal conservatives give back nearly $20,000 that’s supposed to be used for rallies and to get people out to vote?”

The endorsement that counts is on Election Day, she said.

“The voters are who matter.”

Any candidate’s “inability to attend does not disqualify,” them from consideration, Abbatematteo wrote.

Steven Ceracche, is competing against Vanessa Oliver for the Florida Legislature’s District 76, said he will be there Friday.

“I’m going because they are deciding who to endorse before I even have a debate against my competition the following week,” he said.

Oliver said she has a prior commitment and can’t attend.

“The purpose of the REC is to unite Republicans around the principles of freedom, liberty, personal responsibility and accountability,” Oliver said. “The REC should not promote intra-party division at a time when, for the security and safety of our nation, Republicans most need to unify.”

Ryan Barber, who is running for sheriff against incumbent Bill Prummell, is planning to go on Friday.

“The incumbents usually have the advantage of getting endorsements,” Barber said. “Getting one would be great. I do have mixed feeling about picking one Republican over the other, but I will be given the chance to explain my platform, so I will be there.”

Leonardo Trent, who is running against Charlotte County School Board member Kim Amontree, said he won’t be there.

“While I do support the REC efforts to endorse candidates in the election, I do not think that the REC will have a quorum for them to endorse because way too many members are not going to be present,” Trent said.