America First SWFLC Press Release

 From the desk of AFSWFLC President James Hoel 

The Executive Board of the Republican Club of South Sarasota County (RCSSC) found itself in an unfortunate situation brought about by proposed draconian changes to the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) bylaws that were to be voted into effect by its principal leadership in early January 2024. In response to these changes, in late 2023, our board reached out to the RPOF on several occasions, hoping to find common ground in this situation. Unfortunately, we were not able to reach an amicable solution and decided the risk posed by these proposed rule changes outweighed any benefit of keeping our ties with the RPOF for the sole purpose of using the name “Republican Club.”

For over 25 years, our club worked autonomously running our affairs and building our treasury without RPOF/REC assistance. Ultimately, before these onerous rule changes could be voted in and take effect, we had no choice but to exit immediately from under the Republican umbrella, resign our charter, and reorganize our organization into one that adopted a movement better encompassing the moral culture of a majority of our membership. These included working toward goals such as, minimal government, self-governance through cooperation and volunteerism, a strong military deterrence, controlled borders, voter ID, fair elections, listening to the voters, the non-aggression principle, the self-defense principle (second amendment), support of our Constitutional Republic (not a democracy), and a return to Nature's Laws and Nature's God into our culture and lives as noted by the opening of our Declaration of Independence. 

Once adopted and voted on by our elected officers and executive board, our old name was changed to adhere with our charter resignation, the membership voted overwhelmingly to adopt the actions set forth by the club’s officers, and all ties with the RPOF were duly severed well before falling under the new mandates of the proposed RPOF bylaws, which were subsequently approved by the RPOF several weeks after our mutual ties were duly severed.

We believe our new name, “America First Southwest Florida Caucus,” does and will embrace all of the above goals envisioned by the rebranding of our modernized and enhanced organization. The America First SWFL Caucus will, as always, be open and look forward to working with the Republican Party of Florida in whatever capacity, whenever we find ourselves on mutual common ground.

Regards, 

James Hoel President