The Republican Party Won't Recognize Pastor as State Committeeman - Lawsuit May Followby Staff
January 9, 2009
ORLANDO, Florida, (christiansunite.com) -- The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) has notified Pastor Bryan Longworth that he is not qualified to serve as State Committeeman. On June 19, 2008, Longworth filed the paperwork required by state statute and RPOF Rules to run for Republican State Committeeman. In August, Longworth won the state committeeman's race with over 51% of the vote in a three person race. This Saturday, Longworth will join other affected committeemen and committeewomen at a press conference in Orlando and may sue the RPOF if they persist in denying him the seat to which voters elected him.
June 12, RPOF Chairman James Greer issued a memo in an attempt to add requirements to qualifying for election to party offices. His memo exceeded the requirements of both state statutes and RPOF rules and exceeded his authority since both state statutes and the RPOF constitution require rule changes to be made by the full state committee. The RPOF credentialing committee used the June 12 memo as a binding rule and has notified Longworth that his is not qualified to serve as State Committeeman.
Longworth has appealed the RPOF Credentialing Committee's ruling. Longworth's appeal includes the full text of an injunction filed in Miami where a judge ruled that precinct committeemen and committeewomen in the same situation must be seated. Longworth has contacted an attorney and is prepared to sue if necessary.
When Pastor Longworth learned of the Republican Party's decision to not seat him, he had this to say, "The Republican Party in St. Lucie County, and the State and Nation for that matter, is in a crisis situation. We need all the help it can get. Republicans need to welcome new committeemen and women with open arms. Instead, they're saying go home. You're not welcome here! Yet to win elections we need to fight for the values we hold dear rather than fighting against each other."
The RPOF is holding their annual meeting this Saturday morning in Orlando. The Credentialing Committee will rule on Longworth's appeal before then. Longworth will join other affect committeemen and committeewomen for a press conference Saturday, Jan. 10 at 9:00 AM.
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