Evan Power is a good friend who has worked in Florida politics for many years. I really appreciate his perspective on how the Leon County Republican Party has changed over the last four years:

For many years I attended the Republican Executive Committee meetings off and on, but I never joined the committee because they viewed themselves more as a social club not a political party.  A few years ago Jeff Howell asked me to give the REC another chance, and I joined with the goal of turning the Leon County Republican Party into a real party. 

Two years ago, I was elected Vice-Chairman and I have worked with Jeff Howell, Cynthia Henderson, and Bradley Maxwell to grow and develop the Party.  Since that time we have increased fundraising, had successful fundraising events with Governor Rick Scott, Speaker Dean Cannon, and shortly Rick Perry.  We have led a successful campaign to increase voter turnout through generating Absentee Ballots.  Currently we have significantly narrowed the usual gap between Republican and Democrat Absentee voting. We have brought in younger fresher blood to the committee including young professionals and college republicans who are the future of our party. This has just been Jeff’s work with the Leon County Party. 

Jeff Howell  has also served admirably on the State Executive Committee. He has helped to clean up the party after the Jim Greer era and authored the new ethics code.  He was also elected two years ago to serve as the Treasurer of the Republican Party of Florida.  His service in these roles has been a great benefit to the Leon County Republican Party.

 You cannot build a party over night, but we have all worked hard to move the party from a dinner club to a political party that is starting to make a mark in the community.  We need to continue this hard work by Re-electing Jeff Howell as our State Committeeman.  His hard work and fundraising will continue to serve this Party well.  I whole-heartedly endorse Jeff Howell and hope you will join me in thanking him for his service to our party by voting to keep him as our State Committeeman.

Evan Power