RPOF Suspends Manatee County Republican Executive Committee Amid Internal Turmoil and Grievances

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) has suspended the entire Manatee County Republican Executive Committee (REC), a significant move prompted by internal strife and recent controversies. RPOF Chair Evan Power made the decision following the filing of approximately 100 grievances against the county party leadership, as well as a reported break-in at the party’s headquarters.

In an email to party members, Power explained that the volume and complexity of the grievances made it impossible for the grievance committee to resolve the issues. He emphasized the importance of focusing on voter turnout ahead of the upcoming General Election, calling it “the most important election in our lifetimes.”

The suspension comes on the heels of political shifts in Manatee County. April Culbreath, Chair of the Manatee County REC, recently lost a Republican Primary for the Manatee County Commission. The election results marked a significant change in local GOP dynamics, with two sitting commissioners and two of their political allies losing their seats. Additionally, James Satcher, a former county commissioner appointed as Supervisor of Elections by the Governor, also lost his race.

Power pointed to infighting within the local party as the primary reason for the suspension, stressing that unity is crucial as the party prepares for the upcoming Presidential Election and a key U.S. Senate race in November.

“As part of the suspension, the RPOF Executive Board has tasked me as Chairman of coming up with a turnaround plan for the REC,” Power wrote in his email. This plan, once developed, will be reviewed and approved by the RPOF Executive Board and is intended to strengthen the Manatee County REC in preparation for future elections.

Power urged party members to set aside internal differences and focus on the goal of electing Republicans at every level of government. The turnaround plan for the REC will be presented in the coming weeks.

Following the suspension, the official Facebook page for the Manatee County REC was taken offline, further signaling the impact of the party's internal challenges.