BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) — Republican voters in Manatee County elected Trent Wayman as State Committeeman throughout the August major election. Jacqueline Heisse additionally received her election for State Committeewoman.
These two positions function key liaisons between the native and state celebration. Months later, they have been informed they have been faraway from workplace.
“There was by no means any due course of. There was no listening to for us,” Wayman mentioned.
State Republican Get together Chair Evan Energy despatched a letter stating they have been faraway from workplace after a advice by the Florida GOP’s grievance committee and a turnaround plan for the native celebration.
The earlier govt committee for Manatee Republicans was suspended final 12 months after a mountain of complaints and points. Wayman additionally filed a grievance towards his native celebration.
“Our committee had not likely carried out any work. Actually, I believe we solely had one assembly final 12 months that was profitable due to all the issues we have been having,” Wayman mentioned.
The native Republican then mentioned he began an area chapter linked to the Florida Republican Meeting when the Manatee Republican Get together was in turmoil.
“My spouse and I began the Republican Meeting the 12 months earlier than in 2023 as a result of we noticed the necessity for it,” Wayman mentioned. “I believe what actually upset them is that we beat all of their candidates within the major.”
At the moment, the Supervisor of Elections Workplace reveals near 138,000 registered Republicans in Manatee County. Compared, there are about 71,000 Democrats. Mark Flanagan, who additionally served within the Florida legislature, has been appointed to be the chair of the Manatee Republican Govt Committee.
“We now have an unbelievable workforce that has been put collectively,” Flanagan mentioned.
Flanagan agrees with the state celebration reorganizing the native celebration.
“We’re the celebration that champions legislation and order and there should at all times be a dedication, in an area group and a state group, to stick to those self same insurance policies that we count on of others,” Flanagan mentioned.
As for Wayman, he plans to maintain sharing his story after being faraway from his elected place, which the Florida GOP mentioned it has the facility to do.
“I’m going to maintain combating this. I’m going to maintain getting this message out till somebody listens,” Wayman mentioned.
He mentioned he’s at present within the technique of beginning a brand new political celebration known as America First.
