Because it is still unclear who will succeed him as Senate President, Andy Gardiner has named Lizbeth Benacquisto to lead Republican Senate fundraising efforts in advance of the 2016 election cycle.
Traditionally, the Senate President Designate would be the titular head of the Senate campaign arm, but the race between Joe Negron and Jack Latvala remains unsettled.
“While it is tradition to turn over the fundraising apparatus to the incoming president-designate,” writes Gardiner in a memo to the other members of the Republican Senate Caucus, “as Senate President Don Gaetz did with me for the 2014 cycle, this designation has yet to be determined.”
Gardiner does not want to appear as if he is picking sides between Negron and Latvala, so he’s relying on Benacquisto.
Supporting the Fort Myers Republican will be newly named Majority Leader Bill Galvano, according to Gardiner’s memo to members of the Florida GOP Senate Caucus.
Negron and Latvala both claim to have the inside track to win the presidency in 2016
Negron’s camp told the Tampa Bay Times‘ Steve Bousquet their guy has “several more” signed pledges from senators than Latvala, but Negron wouldn’t show them or name names.
“I’m several votes ahead. We’re in a very strong position,” Negron said. “I’m confident I’ll have the support to serve as a presiding officer.”
The Senate has 26 Republicans, so the winner needs 14 votes. Latvala has consistently described the state of the race as a “virtual tie.”
Some have suggested that the rivalry between Negron and Latvala will not be settled until after the 2016 primary elections.
Here is the text of the memo from Gardiner:
To: Members of the Florida Republican Senate Caucus
From: Florida Senate President-Designate Andy Gardiner
Date: November 12, 2014
Subject: 2016 Fundraising EffortsFlorida Republicans enjoyed incredible successes this election cycle, and thanks to your support of our Senate Caucus efforts, our majority status remains intact. Our entire team was re-elected for another term. This would not have been possible without your hard work and dedication in not only meeting our fundraising goals, but far exceeding those goals — and it is welcomed news as we look toward the 2016 campaign cycle.
While it is tradition to turn over the fundraising apparatus to the incoming president-designate, as Senate President Don Gaetz did with me for the 2014 cycle, this designation has yet to be determined.
Therefore, I am naming our Majority Leader to serve in this vitally important fundraising role, with our incoming Majority Leader assisting her in this endeavor.
Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto has graciously accepted the position to serve as my surrogate in managing our Republican Senate fundraising activities this cycle. Leader Bill Galvano has also agreed to work alongside Leader Benacquisto in raising dollars to ensure our continued success through political events, policy programs and voter outreach. Please know that all decisions regarding Party activities and expenditures will remain under my direction as your Senate President-Designate.
Please join me in thanking both Leader Benacquisto and Leader Galvano for accepting these additional responsibilities and in supporting them as we work together toward ensuring our goals and objectives are met this cycle and beyond.
Thank you once again for the honor to serve as your Senate President. I look forward to seeing you next week during Organizational Session as we set the course for the next two years in making Florida the best place to live, work and raise a family.
