Q: Jacksonville today Reader KC likes our election guide but wants to learn more about the Republican State Committeeman and State Committeewoman elections.
“I can’t find anything about the candidates for State Committeewoman (Gay, Martinez, Soud) or State Committeeman (Black, Harding, Tocco). Are they listed in the guide?”
A: Florida Statute 103.091 states that every political party in the state must be represented by a state executive committee consisting of at least two members – one man and one woman – from each voting district. They are called the county committeeman and committeewoman.
For counties with 40 or more precincts, the State Executive Committee may appoint a precinct committeeman or committeewomen who “shall be a member in good standing of the county executive committee of the county in which the State Executive Committeeman or committeewomen is registered to vote.”
The Republican state committeeman and committeewoman represent the county in the Florida Republican Party. Duval County Elections Supervisor Jerry Holland says there are three men running for committeeman and four women running for committeewoman.
“Sometimes only one person runs and that person does not appear on the ballot,” Holland said in an email. “Also, it is often not necessary to put the members of the constituency committee on the ballot unless more than the number allowed in the constituency register.”
When asked why there is no member or woman from the Democratic Party’s state committee on the ballot, Holland replied that her activities are carried out without a public vote through her district’s executive committee.
The Duval County Republican Party currently has Ginger Soud as State Committeeman and Scott Thomas as State Committeeman, with Representative Dean Black as Chair.
No candidate has filed a finance report on the Duval County Board of Elections website, but many have campaign websites or Facebook pages.
These are the candidates:
- Black’s personal Facebook page says he is trusted by President Donald Trump and is a presidential delegate in 2020 and 2024. Husband, father, local businessman, Air Force veteran and representative for Florida. A true conservative who will fight for our values.”
- Maleana Gay’s Facebook campaign page features a candidate’s statement: “Lifelong Republican | Christian | Conservative | Patriot | Director of Election Integrity | Director of Research and Analysis | Grassroots Campaign Manager.” And her campaign website says she will “pave a path to begin unifying the Duval County Republican Party. Restoring integrity, transparency and accountability is the only way.” She also writes that the committee positions are “the highest ranking GOP officials in the county.”
- Candidate Nick Harding’s campaign website states that he is “committed to renewing the Republican Party by empowering young leaders, taking responsibility for voters, and securing the funding necessary for local organizations to thrive.”
- Candidate Ginger Soud’s Facebook page includes a list of supporters: Congressmen Aaron Bean and John Rutherford, Senators Clay Yarborough and Joe Gruters, Florida FOP President Steve Zona, and former FOP President David Stevens.
- Candidate Nathan Tocco’s Facebook page states, “Duval needs new GOP leadership for a successful future.” His campaign website says he was born in Jacksonville Beach, graduated from Fletcher High School, is a former U.S. Navy pilot and Jacksonville police officer, and is currently a commercial pilot.
- Candidate Carol Fisher is nowhere to be found on social media or websites. The same goes for candidate Carmen Martinez.
