Opinion: Orange GOP Faces Crisis in Leadership

    That the Orange County Republican Executive Committee can write checks under Charles Hart is not secret. But can it win? Very few Republicans living in Orange County believe in their party's leader. Despite throwing everything and the kitchen sink at winning, the GOP chair can't seem to pull his weight across the finish line. When asked recently about the state of the GOP in Orange County at the state Republican Convention on January 15-16, Hart told our Editor, "I really don't have time for this stuff." Why can't any Republican candidates seem to win in Orange County anymore, outside of Winderemere?

    The answer can't lie with the candidates. The formidable and highly charismatic Bruno Portigliatti lost handily to Geraldine Thompson, even though his appealing background as a businessman and first generation immigrant served as a positive for voters. Vennia Francois, obviously an underdog in the race against Val Demings, lost by more than she needed to in her district. Moreover, the Orange GOP also failed to produce a single significant win in terms of city or county commission races this past year. Even more disturbing, Orange County under the leadership of Charles Hart has failed to keep up with Republican voter registration which is currently rising in most counties across our state. The answer to the question is mobilization. For local candidates to win, the County GOP requires an inspiring leader, not to mention, one with an acutal plan.

    Speaking to several county party leaders on the subject, most agreed with the assessment. When asked about the dilemma with the leadership in the Orange County REC, one neighboring REC leader replied: "I'm surprised you used leadership and Orange County in the same sentence." In less than two years, a generation of conservative leaders were wiped out and the party lost the burgeoning young professionals once filling the ranks of Orange County's REC and YR legion. Orange County Republicans must hold Hart accountable for his lack of vision and poor planning. But some say this "Hart-less" performance may only be the tip of the iceberg. According to the Florida Bar, Charles Hart's physical address indicates he may not reside in Orange County, a requirement of party rules and regs in determining elegibility for chairmanship. No formal complaint has been filed. However, our sources declined to say whether they will do so.