The Florida State Tailgate for America welcomes fans of all teams to tailgate with Josh Romney, son of the next President of the United States Mitt Romney, this Saturday, September 22, before the Seminoles take on the Clemson Tigers. Come for a burger and a cold drink as the premier tailgate at FSU welcomes this BYU/Harvard graduate to Doak Campbell Stadium. For the opportunity to meet Josh, please arrive at the stadium between 5:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. as he is expected to arrive at 6:15 p.m. The Florida State Tailgate for America is located in LOT 6/Space #50 at Doak Campbell Stadium. For updates, be sure to like Florida State Tailgate for America at facebook.com/FSUTailgateforAmerica. Enjoy a great evening of tailgating by supporting America’s Comeback Team!

Two years ago Jason Nelson, a Precinct Committeeman on the Leon County Republican Executive Committee came to me with a serious question “How can I be a volunteer at the 2012 Republican National Convention when it comes to Tampa??”  I contacted my friend on the State Committee Deborah Cox-Roush, who was a part of the Committee on Arrangements and referred Jason.  Today, while working on Convention preparations he bumped into this fella– Karl Rove!!

BTW, when he first came to me about being a volunteer he said “I don’t want to get stuck parking cars or something”….today he’s working right inside the Convention Hall.  Way to Go Jason !!!!!

Governor Nickie Halley tells the Florida Delegation Breakfast that “in South Carolina we have heals and we kick!”  and that together the State of Florida and South Carolina must  work hard for the Romney/Ryan ticket.  When told that Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has a Republican opponent she said “Tell me what I need to do to help,” as in help DWS’s opponent!

Adam Putnam has put together a great “Fresh From Florida” Breakfast.  About 300 people in attendance this morning.

Due to in-climate weather the RNC has postponed the first day of the Convention.  Actually, what they are doing is convening the Convention real quick and then adjourning it until tomorrow.

This morning Hurricane Issac was 180 miles off of Fort Myers and we were getting light rain from feeder bands hitting the Tampa Bay area.  The Florida Delegation is staying 32 miles from the downtown Tampa Convention venue at Innisbrook Resort and Spa.  The sky is cloudy, light rain, but spirits are high.

We had 300 people at the Florida Delegation breakfast this morning.  Lunch will be a salute to the “Greatest Generation.”  All of the activities and events today for Florida Delegates will be at the Resort today.   I’m spending most of my day at the Florida Delegation Hospitality Suite which is a massive room with food and refreshments, big screen TVs with Fox News running and good old fashion smoozing.

8am the Florida Delegation with South Carolina Delegates in attendance, some 300 present listened to Governor Scott give us a Hurricane update report.  He is skipping all of the RNC events to focus on emergency preparedness as the storm is expected to move towards Louisanna, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida border.

We also heard from Speaker Designate Will Weatherford.

During today’s Board meeting these officials from the RNC came up to me and had me print my name, sign, and date a Petition to place into nomination Mitt Romney’s name for President of the United States.  I also had to sign one for Paul Ryan for Vice President of the United States.  The RNC Officials said they needed a certain number of signatures from each State Delegation to bring the Nominations to the Floor.  This photo is of my signature on the petition.

When I was 6 years old and saw my first Republican Convention on TV here’s who stuck out in my mind!

Election Day is almost here. Tuesday is the last opportunity for voters across Leon County to cast their ballots. For Republicans, it will be a time to choose the direction of their local party.
I am proud of my record as State Committeeman. I have worked with many committed men in the Leon County GOP and the State Party to achieve the following:

• Turning a deficit in the Leon County GOP treasury into $30,000 raised over the last two years

• More than doubling the precinct men and women serving on the Leon County Republican Executive Committee

• Increasing the number of registered Republicans in Leon County

• Increasing participation (sign waving, phone banking, and precinct walking) in state and local campaigns

• Fielding qualified candidates

• Mailing thousands of absentee ballots

• Writing a new code of ethics for RPOF

• Ensuring that RPOF is accountable and transparent to Florida’s Republican voters.

We have to continue working. The local party has made great gains, but we need to continue to grow it. The State Party has been redeemed, but we need to be vigilant to ensure that RPOF continues to serve Florida’s Republicans not special interests. My work isn’t finish. Help me keep the Republican Party on the right track. On Tuesday, August 14, vote for Jeff Howell for Leon County Republican State Committeeman.

I have known John Paul Bailey for over 15 years through his service on the Tallahassee City Commission. He supported me when I ran four years, and I am grateful for his endorsement as I seek re-election.

I have known Jeff Howell for many years. Jeff has been a consistent advocate of conservatism in Leon County. He has brought his passion, hard work, and integrity to everything he has done for the Party, including helping me with my campaigns for the Tallahassee City Commission. Jeff Howell has gotten the Republican Party back on track. Let’s keep the GOP on the right track by re-electing Jeff Howell Leon County Republican State Committeeman. Vote for Jeff on Tuesday, August 14th.

John Paul Bailey, Tallahassee City Commissioner, 1996-2003

Bill Helmich is a longtime friend and is a veteran of state and local politics. He has a message for Leon County Republicans on what we have accomplished over the last four years and the work that is ahead.

Dear Leon County Republicans,

My name is Bill Helmich, and I am endorsing Jeff Howell for Leon County Republican State Committeeman. Jeff Howell, along with State Committee Woman Cynthia Henderson and Chairman Bradley Maxwell, has worked tirelessly to grow and strengthen our Leon County Republican Party.

Jeff ran for State Committeeman with a vision of transforming a sleepy dinner club into a vibrant active party. In the last 4 year he has helped the party achieve those goals, and I am proud to say that as a vice chairman I have been able to work with him.

In just the last two years the party has already raised over $30,000, put out over 15,000 pieces of mail, generated thousands of Absentee Ballot requests, and fielded quality candidates in many races.

But the building is not complete. While some want to tear down our party, Jeff constantly strives to continue the building of our party. Jeff works to raise money and helps push our hard working volunteers and candidates to do their best.

It is with great pride that I endorse our State Committeeman Jeff Howell for re-election.

Bill Helmich