Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Politics

Crist taps campaign activist to lead GOP

By ADAM C. SMITH
Published November 18, 2006

Governor-elect Charlie Crist has tapped one of his most energetic grass roots organizers to lead the Florida Republican Party in America's biggest battleground state.

Jim Greer, a 44-year-old Oviedo City Council member and member of the Seminole County Republican Executive Committee, will succeed Carole Jean Jordan after a formal election early next year. The move surprised some party activists who had expected outgoing state House Speaker Allan Bense to get the nod, but Greer is expected to face no challenge for the post.

"I intend to be an inclusive chairman to seek out the opinions of everyone, but be committed to the values and principles of the Republican Party," said Greer, who stood out in the Crist campaign for his work in the Orlando area.

"His heart's in it, he's a workaholic, he's got great passion, great energy and I know he'll do a great job and be very inclusive," Crist said Friday.

U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, hailed Greer as tireless and savvy, and both a principled conservative and pragmatic problem-solver. He also is a strong fundraiser.

Though the Florida GOP lost some ground in the Cabinet, state House and congressional delegation this year, it fared much better than Republicans in other states. Crist signaled no major shift in direction.

Greer, president of a consulting firm that trains and certifies employees for the hospitality industry, this election cycle gave $15,000 to the state GOP and $10,000 to a political committee backing Crist, called the Conservative Values Coalition.

Adam C. Smith can be reached at 727 893-8241 or asmith@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 17, 2006, 23:48:07]