Palm Beach County Commissioner Mike Barnett resigned as Chairman of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County. He officially informed the Board of Directors of the Republican Executive Committee (REC) today.
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Barnett told Jolt;
At this evening‘s board meeting, I informed the Board of Directors of my resignation as chairman of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County. Serving as chairman has been the privilege of my life. Together as a party, we have accomplished incredible victories over the past eight years here in Palm Beach County. We’ve raised more money as a party than ever before. We have increased voter registration and voter turnout at higher percentages than ever before. I will miss working with the many incredible party leaders and committee members, going back to my time as secretary and then as vice chair and then chair. It is now incumbent upon me, however, to devote my full-time energy to serving the residents of County Commission District 3 and all of Palm Beach County to the best of my ability. And that is what I plan to do. – County Commissioner Mike Barnett, former REC Chairman
Kevin Neal, the Vice Chairman of the REC, will become interim chair until the election of a new chair in June. Per the count model constitution and the rules of order of the REC, there must be a new election for the position.
The last election for REC chair, which Barnett easily won, was contentious as many didn’t see eye to eye as to what was best for the future of the local party. One surprise came when former Vice Chair Tami Donnally lost re-election and was replaced by a relatively new member named Kevin Neal. Donnally and a few other long-time members will likely run for chair in June.
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Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Barnett to the County Commission to replace former County Commissioner Dave Kerner, whom Governor Ron Desantis appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Barnett’s appointment will last for the duration of Kerner’s term. Barnett recently moved to his new district and filed to run for the seat in 2024.
Barnett told Jolt;
It’s time for somebody new. I’ve been Chair since December 2014. The party deserves someone who can devote their full-time energy to leading the party.
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