Chairman placed on probation; local party united

MELBOURNE—After an exhaustive process of hearings and recriminations, the Republican Party of Florida has announced that Brevard GOP Chairman Jason Steele has been placed on probation for the remainder of his term as chairman.

The decision follows accusations by former Brevard Republican Executive Committee Secretary, Travis Clinger, that Mr. Steele acted inappropriately when he commissioned a poll be done while he was filed as a candidate to run against first term Republican state house member, John Tobia. The complaint also alleged that Mr. Steele may have acted inappropriately, when he announced that the BREC had voted to voice its disapproval for the state and national parties’ active hand in primary elections.

In a letter to Mr. Steele, the RPOF grievance committee said, “Neither of these actions was of a magnitude to disrupt the activities of the Republican Party.” However the committee did recommend the censure of Mr. Steele for his conduct in the weeks leading up to the grievance hearing.

“For every action there is a consequence,” Mr. Steele said. “I have led by my principles, and that has had a price. I will, however continue to lead local Republicans in accordance with my fundamental belief in conservative values, come what may.”

Mr. Steele has been a vocal opponent of state involvement in primary elections, and a staunch supporter of local Republican activists and under his leadership Brevard’s GOP has continued to grow.

“We have worked to build a vibrant local party from which to promote the best ideals of our Republic,” said Mr. Steele. “That remains our goal, and if I am to be watched or monitored to see if I am behaving, so be it. Brevard Republicans aren’t working in secret; we’re working to better our community. This decision changes nothing. We will continue to be heard, and we will continue to build on the strong foundations of conservatism that have always assured that we are on the side of the people.”

RPOF Chairman Jim Greer expressed his disapproval with Mr. Steele’s handling of the former BREC secretary, who was allowed to resign after the BREC board of directors found he had overstepped his duties for contacting reporters to dispute BREC actions. Mr. Greer called Steele’s behavior “unbecoming of one holding the position of a chairman.”

“Surely it is the duty of the local chairman to act to see that his officers are acting with the highest degree of honor and integrity, and in accordance with the wishes of the organization’s membership,” said Mr. Steele. “Obviously, I disagree with the RPOF chairman about this, but if I am to be censured for upholding this standard, than I accept it as the simple consequence of acting on my beliefs, and governing by my principles.”