MIAMI, FL — Endorsements recently issued by the Miami Young Republicans (Miami YR) are not valid and do not represent the official position of any recognized Republican Party organization, according to a letter released by the Florida Young Republicans (Florida YR) and supported by the Young Republican National Federation (YRNF).
The controversy stems from the fact that, in 2022, the Miami Young Republicans leadership seceded from both the state and national organizations, making them a rogue entity that is no longer chartered with the Florida YR, YRNF, or the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF). Despite this, the Miami YRs have continued to misrepresent themselves as an official GOP-affiliated organization.
“To be clear, Miami YR is a rogue organization not chartered with Florida YR, YRNF, or the Florida GOP,” the letter states.
“They are misusing the 'Republican' name and falsely claiming partnership with the Florida GOP in violation of Republican Party of Florida Bylaws, Rule 1A.”
This misinformation has led to confusion among candidates, voters, and donors, as the Miami YRs continue to imply institutional credibility they no longer possess.
The Miami Young Republicans recently endorsed Jose Regalado in the City of Miami District 4 race. However, it’s important to note that Ralph “Rafael” Rosado is also a lifelong Republican — and because this is a nonpartisan municipal election, neither the Republican Party of Florida nor any officially recognized Republican organization can endorse a candidate in this race.
The letter also highlights the stark contrast between the real Republican-aligned organizations and the Miami YRs. For instance, while the Florida YRs were one of the first state-level YR organizations in the nation to endorse Donald Trump for president — doing so on January 21, 2024 — the Miami YRs were not part of the vote. Nonetheless, they have made misleading social media posts suggesting otherwise.
This election cycle is one of the most consequential in modern history. Florida Young Republicans have played a pivotal role in recent Republican victories — including electing multiple state legislators, county commissioners, school board members, and local officials in the 2022 and 2023 cycles. They remain focused on working closely with the Florida GOP and the Trump campaign to deliver historic wins in 2024.
As voters evaluate endorsements and campaign messages this year, it’s important to separate legitimate Republican Party-backed support from self-appointed organizations using the GOP brand without authorization.
