Is There A Growing Divide Between Some Republicans and DeSantis, Florida GOP?

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Evan Power, and the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) are catching some criticism from some Republicans around the state. Some Republicans have not been able to join their county executive committee because they are already a member of other organizations that have been deemed “in violation of the restrictions on the use of the name, abbreviations, and symbols of the Republican Party as provided in this rule or Section 103.081, Florida Statutes.”

The organization in question?  The Florida Republican Assembly (FRA).

The violation in question? Using the name “Republican” and elephant symbols in its appearance as an organization. In May, the RPOF sent the FRA a cease-and-desist over this violation.

Despite the funny name that might be a little hard to get over, Substack blogger “Kat’s Meow” produced an intriguing article detailing some of the correspondence Florida Republicans such as Bonnie Hampton have received from the RPOF as they attempted to join the Sumter County Republican Executive Committee (REC) but were rejected due to their status of being a member of the FRA.

“The RPOF Chairman has deemed the Florida Republican Assembly, Inc. and its related county organizations in violation of section 103.081, Florida Statutes, by using the party's name without permission of the RPOF,” wrote an RPOF representative to Bonnie Hampton. It continued, “This means that unless the Florida Republican Assembly and its related county organizations decide to become chartered Republican clubs under RPOF Rule 1, any member of the State Executive Committee or a County Executive Committee may not be a member of a Florida Republican Assembly organization.”

So why is the RPOF throwing the book at the FRA? Well, this is where author Kat’s Meow theory comes into play. She believes the RPOF – headed by Evan Power and supported by Gov. DeSantis – is targeting pro-Trump organizations such as the FRA in order to keep its grip on the state.

But why does Gov. DeSantis need to do this (if it indeed happening at this level in the first place)? It’s not quite clear. DeSantis is popular in Florida. He holds a high approval rating despite some of Florida’s policies appearing nationally divisive at times.

*Note* - It appears that on a state and national level, the RPOF has a good relationship with former President Donald Trump as Donald Trump's son Eric, has aided his father's reelection efforts in the Sunshine State in collaboration with groups such as the RPOF. Recently, both former President Trump and Governor DeSantis have praised RPOF Chairman Evan Power during the 2024 election cycle. However, at the local level, there seems to still be some disconnect.