The Republican Party of Florida’s attempt to exert total control over local Republicans should concern all of us.
In 2024, local Republican voters sent a clear message: the state does not dictate who holds elected office in Manatee County. In 2024, Governor DeSantis tried his best to control who represents us locally, but it did not go over well with voters.
His appointment of James Satcher—a disgraced former County Commissioner who, along with Ballard, Rahn, and Kevin Van Ostenbridge (KVO), will be remembered for stripping away our local wetland protections—as Supervisor of Elections was a glaring mistake. Satcher had zero relevant experience for the role. Worse, the Governor ignored retiring Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett’s recommendation of Scott Farrington. Farrington possessed over 20 years of experience and proved he was the right person for the job when he defeated Satcher by more than 60 percent of the vote.
Our governor also tried to shove KVO back into office after he demonstrated he was the worst county commissioner ever to represent our community. From his vote to gut wetland protections to the removal of our most qualified county administrator, our county still has not recovered from his ineptitude four years after voters kicked him out of office.
Manatee County Republicans sent a clear message that elections cannot be bought by developers—or dictated by the governor.
When voters went against the will of state leadership, the Republican Party of Florida took drastic action by removing the entire leadership of the local Manatee Republican Executive Committee. A party supposedly dedicated to protecting election integrity went so far as to disenfranchise local voters by stripping two duly elected officials—State Committeeman Trent Wayman and State Committeewoman Jacqueline Heisse—of their positions, without cause, overriding the vote of their fellow local Republicans. Even worse is who state leadership chose to replace them.
For State Committeeman, they installed Jennings Lawton DePriest—a self-described “professional propagandist” who publicly boasts about taking pleasure in “trashing” his clients' opponents. In 2024, while working to get Satcher elected, DePriest was accused of violating election laws. Yet the Republican Party of Florida ignored the explicit pleas of our local voters. For State Committeewoman, they installed developer-friendly Jayne Kocher, a local realtor and Bradenton City Councilwoman representing Ward 1.
Meanwhile, radical Mark Flanagan was installed as Chairman of the Manatee County Republican Party. As chairman, Flanagan has failed to foster an inclusive environment for local Republicans who do not share his narrow views, routinely using his position to attack fellow party members. Recently, using his authority as REC Chairman, he sent a text targeting Melton Little, a Republican candidate running for office. REC members take an oath not to attack fellow Republican candidates in primary races. Making matters worse, Little’s opponent happens to be the Secretary of the REC—and executing party text blasts using REC funds requires a formal vote by the body, not just Flanagan’s unilateral directive.
This situation demonstrates just how far the radical faction of the party will go to dictate who gets elected. As a Republican who served for 22 years, I am deeply concerned about the trajectory of our party. It was never intended to be this radicalized. Overriding the clear will of Republican voters to install operatives like DePriest—who actively worked to elect Satcher—is nothing short of a betrayal.
Manatee County Republicans cannot be united with radicals like Flanagan and DePriest calling the shots. Local voters have proven time and again that they are informed, pragmatic, and capable of deciding what is best for their own community. Manatee County Republicans will never be truly united so long as Tallahassee dictates our representatives, whether on the Executive Committee or in public office.
Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters, a former RPOF chair himself, knows the actions of the Republican Party of Florida were wrong, yet he has failed to use his influence to correct this injustice. While Gruters' wife campaigns for Congress, Flanagan’s actions clearly demonstrate his hostility toward Eddie Speir, her top challenger in that primary. This bias represents yet another betrayal of Flanagan's oath as Chairman of the Manatee REC.
Flanagan has also constantly attacked The Bradenton Times—a publication that does the heavy lifting to expose local political corruption. Ever since the 2024 election cycle, when The Bradenton Times brought light to the darkest corners of local government, Flanagan and DePriest have harbored resentment over KVO and Satcher losing, taking out their frustration on our reporting. Their attacks on our publication, as well as their personal attacks on myself and Mitch Maley, directly undermine a free press and weaken our democracy. Their radical biases do real harm to local Republicans.
As Republicans, we all have the right to voice our opinions without our own party turning on us. We also have the right to run for office as a Republican without facing deceptive campaign mailers and text blasts sent in apparent coordination with Flanagan’s handpicked committee.
Unfortunately, for many local Republicans today, the greatest threat comes from operatives like Flanagan—not Democrats. Actions speak louder than words, and his behavior is, in my view, un-Christian and entirely out of step with his Catholic teaching and guidance from the Pope. The RPOF now has actual cause to remove Flanagan and his cronies. It is time for them to step aside and let local Republicans do what they do best: vote for the leaders who truly represent them.
Joe McClash is the publisher of The Bradenton Times. He is a Marine Corps veteran and served on the Manatee County Commission from 1990 to 2012.
6 comments on this item
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nellmcphillips
Thanks for stating this as it is what many Republicans are thinking. The Manatee Republican Party as it’s being led by hooligans is an embarrassment. Hopefully, this election will demonstrate the need for change.
Tuesday, August 4 Report this
jghaft
Eerily similar to the National level where republicans of all stripes are terrified of crossing Trump. The only ones who dare speak their minds are those who are leaving office
Wednesday, August 5 Report this
writerlynn9717
Flanagan has always been an extremist. Can't believe he was elected as chairman when they needed someone in the middle. Republicans going through a nasty transition period and don't need crazy.
Wednesday, August 5 Report this
rjckeuka4
There are still "true" Republicans out here whose party left them 10 years ago. Recently, I attended a "Meet and Greet" for a Democratic candidate. There were about 60 persons in attendance. When the candidate asked if there were Republicans in attendance, 15 people raised their hands...25%!! Tells you something doesn't it? We got rid of KVO et. al. 2 years ago...we can get rid of others in November.
Wednesday, August 5 Report this
charlo7981
Both major political parties have been corrupted by big money to the point where neither one of them gives a damn about working people. I subscribe to this publication because of your commitment to shining a light on this corruption and rely upon your journalistic integrity in order to be an informed voter. The "established" media has become a tool of the rich and powerful. I encourage others to subscribe to your publication and to other sources of information that base their reporting on facts. Thank you
Wednesday, August 5 Report this
rayfusco68
Citizens United rang the death knell for the average citizen. Once corporations were given the rights of individuals, game over. They have poured money into the electoral system to buy all the votes they can to protect enhance their already audacious profits. Unless Citizens United can be reversed by a fair and logical court or Congress can take action to pass laws prohibiting the pay for election that Citizens has created we are on the brink of losing our Republic.
Wednesday, August 5 Report this