Perhaps in preparation for Gov. Charlie Crist’s announcement next week that he would be running for the U.S. Senate seat as an Independent, the Republican Party of Florida is warning executive committee members that should anyone decide to support him, they will be removed from their position on any executive committee and be ineligible to hold party office. And apparently, officials must formally revoke their public support for him and request any contributions made, or else… face expulsion.
In a memo dated April 19th, the Florida GOP General Counsel, Jason Gonzalez wrote to RPOF Executive Director Ronnie Whitaker clarifying the Republican Party of Florida Rule 9-Party Loyalty Oath, according to the Palm Beach Post.
Gonzalez states that “…the Party Loyalty Oath forbids Republican Executive Committee members from supporting any candidate other than the candidate nominated by the voters of the Republican Party through its primary election.”
Gonzalez’ letter goes on to state that the “Republican Party of Florida requires members of all political party committees organized under the RPOF to abide by a Party Loyalty Oath.”
The memorandum concludes by stating that:
“In sum, Republican Party of Florida Rule 9 prohibits any member of the Republican State Executive Committee or of any County Executive Committee from “actively, publicly, or financially” supporting a candidate running with no party affiliation over “the Republican candidate” chosen in the primary election. Any member who fails to formally revoke his or her public support and request the return of any contributions made to a candidate running against the candidate of the Republican Party would be in violation of the RPOF Rules and would be subject to removal from party office and membership on Republican executive committees.”
Crist has until April 30th to decide whether or not he would run as an Independent.
