St. Johns County REC.... in the news... AGAIN...

Editorial written by guest writer, Sue Blackton

The St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee is currently experiencing a storm of controversy that has sparked intense discussions among its members. Central to this storm is Chairman Blake Paterson, whose recent actions and statements are causing many to question the Chairman's leadership and values.

Florida Voice published a story titled:

“Darryl Boyer responds to St. Johns GOP chair allegedly saying district won’t elect person of color” Read original story here

Florida House District 19 candidate, Darryl Boyer, alleges St. Johns County GOP Chairman, Blake Paterson, told Boyer he couldn’t run and win in “historically racist counties.”

Boyer, who is 24 years old, is running against two other Republicans for the August 2024 Primary election. Boyer appeared taken aback at being told by the leader of county GOP that his skin color would be an issue for Republican Primary voters.

Paterson has defended himself and his alleged statements, calling the allegations “false narratives from Democrats….”

Boyer stated, “Mr. Paterson may not believe I belong in this race, but to discourage a young conservative from participating in our democracy is wrong and contrary to the values shared by the Florida Republicans I know,” he explained.

Any principled Republican who wants to run for office should not be discouraged by their local Republican leadership regardless of their skin color or their odds of winning. That is how we move the Republican Party forward to more inclusivity and shake the leftist and legacy media’s allegations that the Republican Party is inherently racist.

Paterson made news earlier this summer by placing a 911 call to have some attendees removed for alleged “ruckus” during the June REC meeting. Paterson told law enforcement officers there were members not following the rules. There apparently was an issue of seating and some of the members were standing up at the back of the room.