At its specially called meeting in Orlando last weekend, the Florida Republican party elected state Senator John Thrasher as its new chairman, replacing Jim Greer, who chaired the state party during a time of often bitter controversy.

Greer, who was supported by Florida Governor Charlie Crist, was, among other things, accused of mismanaging the party’s funds and conducting a weak fundraising effort. Ironically, Greer presided over the private balloting that elected Thrasher to replace him.

Following Thrasher’s election, Republicans asked him to oversee the hiring an accounting firm to conduct an exhaustive audit of the state party’s records. The audit was to determine the state of its financing and whether any accounting and financial malpractices took place in recent years, as some rumors seem to have indicated. Greer, whose financial management has been under pressure, reportedly said he welcomes the requested audit, and is willing to assist in its implementation, as he is anxious for a full review of every expenditure undertaken. There is an internal audit of the party’s financial records over the past four weeks.

Cognizant of the divisions that have been plaguing the party, after his election, Thrasher told the meeting that now is the time to begin the unity and the healing. He reminded the audience that Republicans are not each other’s enemies. The enemy, he said, is the Democratic Party and the liberal media.

Three candidates contested the position of chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. They were Thrasher, former speaker of the Florida House, Sharon Day, a member of the Republican National Committee and Mark Cross, a committee member from Osceola County. Day made a strong bid for the position, but in the end, Thrasher won 135 votes, Day 85 and Cross 2.

Thrasher is said to be a very effective fundraiser – an important factor in a crucial election year.

---

Add this article to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites