THE SARASOTA PHOENIX IS THE MEDIA OUTLET FOR 15 YEARS INFORMING THE PUBLIC WHAT REALLY IS GOING ON IN THE AREA AS LOCAL MULLET WRAPPERS SHT AND OBSERVER REPORTERS ARE CLULESS TO LOCAL POLITICAL SCENE
Power
POWER LED RPOF HAS NO LEGITIMATE REASON TO SUSPEND THE MREC
THE RPOF UNDER POWER NEED TO REMOVE CULBREATH AND MOVE FORWARD
Corrupting the political process-Jensen/Benderson/Beruff/Neal
Will establishment Republicans leaders like Power, Gruters and Brill deep in the pockets of the multimillion-dollar donors on behalf of those donors continue to keep control of the RPOF and local MREC/ SREC corrupting the political process?
There was absolutely no reason for the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) under the leadership of Chairman Evan Power to suspend the Republican Manatee County Executive Committee (MREC). The major reason is retribution for Governor Ron DeSantis appointed and endorsed establishment candidates taken down in recent Mantee elections.
DeSantis with one his endorsed defeated Manatee County Commission candidates-Kevin Van Ostenbidge
There is absolutely no way that Power suspended the America First takeover without the approval of DeSantis in the pocket of his local multi-million donor Carlos Beruff, who saw his political operative Anthony Pedicini get destroyed in recent Manatee County elections.
Heise
Jacqueline Heise, who recently defeated the establishment Republican candidate for the MREC State committeewoman Linda Ivell has stated, “She believes this suspension is possibly retaliation for all the exceptional grassroots activity in our county.”
Heise continued “We took back our Party in the primary and now they are trying to shut it down. It would have been far easier to remove our chair than shut the Republican voters out of their party in this manner. “
Speir
Eddie Speir who was the America First U.S Congressional candidate receiving 40% of vote against Republican establishment U.S Congressman Vern Buchna despite being outspent 4-1 stated the following:
"When we administer a defeat against the establishment Republican Party, they don't like it and use this RPOF suspension as a retribution. They are trying to kill off the grassroots of the local Republican Party. This is nothing more than retaliation for what happened in taking back our government in Manatee County.:
Speir continued, “April Culbreath has been protected by Evan Power and the leadership of the RPOF. We have filed many grievances against her and have petitioned to take a vote and remove her so we can operate as a party. Instead, we've had this captured leadership at a local level and at a state level."
Culbreath/Beruff/Pedicini
POWER’S BOGUS REASONS IN SUSPENDING MREC
Power stated in his decision to suspend was “because we just can't figure out what's going on there with hundreds of grievances, police reports and lawsuits.”
What Power failed to state is that that the hundreds of grievances, police reports and lawsuits were all initiated against Carlos Beruff and his political operative Anthony Pedicini handpicked chairman of the MREC, April Culbreath..
It is impossible to believe that Power and his RPOF executive board knew Culbreath was nothing more than a Beruff and Pedicini flunky using the MREC, as a vehicle to promote Beruff and Pedicini continuing the SHIT SHOW at the Manatee County Commission.
If Power could “not figure out was going on” at the MREC, anybody who could walk and chew gum in Manatee County and beyond knew what was going on with Culbreath and the MREC.
Culbreath was nothing more than a Beruff and Pedicini flunky to use the MREC as a vehicle to promote Beruff and Pedicini continuing the SHIT SHOW at the Manatee County Commission.
When the rank and file wanted no part of Culbreath promoting Beruff and Pedicini plans at the MREC to continue the corruption going on in Mantatee under the control of Beruff/Pedicini, Culbreath essential shut down the MREC.
What is scandalous and disgraceful is that every time the rank and file of the MREC sought relief from Power and his led RPOF, Power sided with Culbreath and allowed Beruff and Pedicini through Culbreath to keep the MREC shut down.
POWER WILL REORGANIZE MREC IN A “COUPLE OF WEEKS” WHILE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS “A COUPLE OF WEEKS” AWAY
What is going on with this Power statement? “The RPOF board voted to suspend Manatee County's REC and tasked Chairman Evan Power with devising an action plan at a future meeting in a “COUPLE OF WEEKS.”
Gruters
What is going on with Florida State Senator and former RPOF Chairman Joe Gruters stating, ”the intent is the party will be able to come in and try to set it up to where you are going to have a successful party in Manatee County again, but it's going to TAKE SOME TIME."
“TAKE SOME TIME” Gruters is the same person who in the 2024 Republican primary endorsed establishment Republican SMH hospital Board candidate Sarah Lodge, who has no problem with transgender surgery at SMH. Lodge was running against Trump conservative Republican Tanya Parus
Does Power, “TAKE SOME TIME” Gruters and the RPOF board not know or care that in “the next couple of weeks” that there is ABSULTELY no Get out the Vote (GOTV) being organized at the MREC to elect former President Donald Trump and re-elect U.S Senator Rick Scott.
Every day the MREC is shut down by Power and his RPOF executive board the Democrats are in full force initiating their GOTV.
POWER RPOF CHAIRMAN WHO IS SUSPENDING MREC IS ALSO TAKING DOWN AMERICA FIRST ORGNIZATIONS
Power, who the RPOF Executive Board has designated, “to come up with a turnaround plan for the local party committee (MREC)” is the same RPOF Chairman who is in the process of attempting to take down two America First organization in Sarasota. Those two organizations are America First SWF Caucus and Sarasota County Republican Assembly with over 400 members.
The lawsuit against the America First Caucus is being financed by RPOF “house money” to take out the newly formed America First SWFL Caucus.
This bogus lawsuit was filed because America First activists broke away from the Power led RPOF establishment and changed the name of the second largest Sarasota Republican Club in Sarasota County.
The same Power who is to reorganize the MREC is the same person who also sent a certified ” Cease and Desist” order to the Florida Republican Assembly organization in Sarasota.
Brunni
The same Power reorganizing the MREC is the same person who has just recently removed the Chairwoman of Sarasota County Republican Assembly Connie Brunni from the SREC due to her involvement with the Assembly..
Brunni’s led Assembly is similar to Republican Assembly in Manatee County and similar organizations that have been in existence since the 1930’s in California. The group was first formed to cross check the Republican Party in California, and bring the party back to the people.
Ronald Reagan, while he was Governor of California, called the Republican Assembly the “conscience of the Republican Party”.
The Miami Independent replied to Power’s led RPOF take down of America First organizations with this statement: "Dear Lord, save us from idiots. Or, maybe, in the case of DeSantis’s Republican Party of Florida, we should ask that Florida and America be saved from their enemies, because I truly believe that is actually what is going down here. It’s pretty easy to see."
WILL POWER CERIFY WAYMAN AND HEISE?
Wayman
The question now will be--is there a certified letter to be sent to the Manatee County Republican Assembly to cease and desist. Will Power be sending letters to Manatee County Assembly members Trent Wayman and Jacqueline Heisse to be removed from the MREC and not to be installed, as recently elected MREC State Committeeman and State Committeewoman?
With a “new" REC, the RPOF Chair Power under Rule 3, has the authority to populate a REC with a PCM and PCW.
Stamm
Bruce Stamm, who is Vice President of the Lakewood Ranch Republic believes that the Power led RPOF will most likely not allow Wayman and Heisse to be become State Committeeman and woman seated in the Power reorganized MREC.
Brill/Pedicini/Power
BRILL AND POWER CONNECTION TO PEDICINI
Power, who is to reorganize the MREC is the same Power along with Gruters and REC Chairman Jack Brill funneling millions of dollars into Pedicini’s SIMWINS LLC allowing Pedicini to elect establishment Republican candidates throughout Florida for years.
Brill who is in lock step with Power in taking down America First organizations has seen Power not having any problem with Brill’s America First problem.
Pedicini with Mayor Castor/City of Tampa "1st Lady" Anna Cruz and friends in Tampa
Not a word from Power when Brill allowed the establishment Republican Lavender political operative Pedicini, who is Tampa Mayor Castor’s favorite RINO to take out America First candidates. (By the way, Brill as a member of the RPOF Executive Board voted to suspend the MREC).
In Manatee County, Power had no problem for Culbreath to lead the MREC in continuing to drink the Pedicini “KOOL AID”, which led to Manatee Couty Commission become one big SHIT SHOW. When that failed Culbreath shut down the MREC.
CULBREATH AND BRILL WERE TO SHUT SPEIR DOWN
In addition, Culbreath was also a major supporter of U.S Congressman Vern Buchanan and like SREC Chairman Brill, Culbreath was to lead the MREC in support of Buchanan and shut Spier out of MREC and SREC activities.
For example, at Manatee and Sarasota Republican Party “Round Up” before the 8/20/24 primary at the Sarasota County Fairground all Speir supporters were barred from the event. Brill had over 20 City of Sarasota police officers barring anyone wearing a support Speir for U.S Congress shirt or carrying a pro Spear sign.
May
Jack May, who is President of Manatee Patriots and one of the area's and statewide most respected Republican conservative leaders was asked three time by SPD police officers to vacate the venue, no doubt directed by Brill to be removed from the venue. Once for wearing a Spear tee-shirt, once for wearing a turn inside out Spirt tee-shirt and once for wearing a Donald Trump for President shirt.
When two Spears supporters dressed in Freedom Liberty garb disputed a speech made by Buchanan that he lowered taxes, they were removed by SPD police officers from directives of Brill.
When Spear, who was not allowed to make speech also disputed Buchanan remarks, he too was escorted out by SPD police officers, once again from directives from Brill.
NO WAY DOES POWER AND BUCHANAN SUPPORTERS WANT SPEIR IN A MREC LEADERSHIP POSITION
There is little doubt that one of the major reasons Power is suspending the MREC for the “coming weeks” is that the establishment led RPOF has no intention of allowing American First organizers in control of the MREC.
In addition, Power and the establishment RPOF has no intention of having Speir, who is a potential opponent of U.S Congressman Buchanan’s in the 2026 election in a leadership position at the MREC.
Buchanan
BUCHANAN HANDELERS WITH RPOF ASSISTANCE ARE MOVING TO TAKE SPEAR OUT OF A LEADERSHIP POSITION ON MREC
Buchanan despite efforts of Buchanan supporters like Brill and Culbreath, Buchanan and his political operative Max Goodman were taken by surprise of the support for Speir in his attempt to take him out.
Spear received 40% of the vote despite Buchanan outspending Speir 4-1 and running against Speir, who had no way near the name recognition that Buchanan has accumulated over the years.
Speir achieved what he wanted to achieve in taking on Buchanan, which is gaining name recognition and favorable. With gaining name recognition and favorable and having the personal finances to gain 40% of the of vote, Speir becomes a candidate voters now believe can take out Buchanan in 2026.
It is also worth noting that the virtually unknown Speir received that surprising number of votes in that Spears was running against Buchanan, who is the Vice Chairman an of the powerful U.S Congress Ways and Means Committee. Buchanan also has an opportunity in the next session of Congress after the November election to become Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.
Buchanan, who was furious with former U.S House Speaker Kevin McCarthy did not appoint him in 2023 as Chairman is now raising $millions for present Speaker Mike Johnson in hoping to get to become Chairman of the Committee if Republicans retain control of House. Buchanan needs no Speir in a leadership position in his District.
NO WAY DOES BUCHANAN DESIRE SPIER CHAIRMAN OF MREC
Taken by surprise by Speir gaining 40% of the vote in the recent Republican Primary, Buchanan and his political operative have now become concerned when Speir announced that he was seeking the Chairmanship of the MREC for the 2026 election cycle.
The last thing Buchanan and his staff desire is the potential Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee having Spier from the perch as Chairman of the MREC taking on Buchanan in 2026.. Speir made that announcement at the annual Manatee County Republican Liberty Caucus on 8/31/24 where Speir received the Champion of Liberty Award.
Wright
The members of this organization were a major reason Beruff and Pedicini were taken down in the August 2024 Primary. Kevin Wright, who is a Speir supporter put the event together. Wright, who is a director of the organization is one of the most valued Republican conservative leaders in Manatee County and beyond.
Luna and Donalds
According to Sarasota Phoenix sources, when Buchanan supporters heard Speir was to get the award and announced he would seek the chairmanship of the MREC, Buchanan supporters contacted U. S Congressman Byron Donalds and U.S Congresswoman Paulina Luna, who were scheduled to attend either in person or by zoom. They were requested not to appear or call in a message to the over 100 in attendance, which neither did.
Then shortly after Speir announced he was a candidate for the Chairman of the SREC, the RPOF under Power’s leadership suspended the MREC.
WHAT IS NEXT?
The question is--can establishment Republicans like Power, Gruters, Goodman and Buchanan keep American First grassroots organizers and Spier out of leadership positions?.
Will establishment Republicans leaders like Power, Gruters and Brill deep in the pockets of the multimillion-dollar donors on behalf of those donors continue to keep control of the RPOF and local MREC/SREC corrupting the political process?
Will Lavender Republican political operative Anthony Pedicini continue corrupting the political process for those who finance the evilness that surrounds us?
Jon Susce
The Sarasota Phoenix team is the last guardian in Sarasota of the vital fourth estate. While the rest of local, mainstream media outlets have been overtaken by profit driven directives, the Sarasota Phoenix is the only local media outlet laying bare for all to see how Sarasota local government is operating like a Latin American Junta.
"As usual, Jon Susce offers great insight found nowhere else in Suncoast and State Republican politics." Kevin Wright of the Manatee Republican Liberty Caucus.
"Jon uncovers local corruption you will read about nowhere else. Vital and important information." Dan Lobeck President of Control Growth Now.
"Jon is easily the very best investigative reporter to ever work this market." Don Schilke a Director for Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections
"Jon searches for the truth of the mater. He holds everyone accountable for their misleading actions or not. To God be the glory for what he is doing." Valeria Buchand President of Newtown Nation.