Curiously there is no website for StrongParty.Org even though the name IS a website. It is a Miami-based Political Action Committee (PAC) supporting Florida Republicans. The PAC appears to be led by Armando Gutierrez Sr., a Miami-Dade lobbyist and campaign manager, who was state party chair in 2003. Gutierrez' son, Armando Jr., and a Gutierrez employee, Scott Wacholtz, are both contributors to the PAC (Wacholtz is listed as treasurer according to the Federal Election Commission) and both were past chairmen of the Florida College Republicans. The College Republican network was where Karl Rove got his start, as executive director in the early 1970's. (fast forward to 4:00 minute to see Karl's cool soundbite: j/k).
Rep. Gus Bilirakis got $4,000 from StrongParty.org. That is the most the PAC gave to any candidate, giving Ros-Lehtinen $500, Mario Diaz-Balart $1,000 and Lincoln Diaz-Balart $500 for their campaigns last year. On Feb. 03, 2009 Congressman Bilirakis was tapped by his Party to Lead Republicans on a Homeland Security Watchdog Panel. Representative Adam Putnam of Polk County got $2,300 from the PAC. In February Putnam announced he is giving up his seat to run for Agriculture Commissioner. Neither appear to have any exceptional Republican worth. Here is what I find odd: With the two Diaz-Balart's running tight races in '08, why did this PAC give bigger bucks to Bilirakis, Putnam and Buchanan? Why not give to the locals that were running scared and rightfully so. Joe Garcia almost pulled the rug out from under Mario. Any theories readers?
The list of donors to StrongParty.org include:
Armando Gutierrez, Coral Gables
George Lindemann, Jr. of Miami Beach
Ashish Brahmbhatt of Pembroke Pines
Scott Wacholtz of Palmetto Bay (treasurer also a Vice President of Gutierrez Group)
Chad Gutierez, Coral Gables
Marc Osheroff of North Miami
Peter Munilla, South Miami
E.A. Freeman, Coconut Grove
Elsa Urquiza, Miami Beach
Mary Carriere, Fort Myers
Benjamin Everard, Crystal Lake, Illinois
Christopher Dosen, Brickell
Alina Nasco, Hialeah
Bryan Stewart, Winter Park (Banker Wachovia)
Peter Groverman, Blue Bell Pa.
They began this PAC with $22,000 at the end of 2006 with these donors:
Armando Gutierrez
Michael McCormack, Miami
Jack Samra, Coral Gables
Maria Samra ($5,000 each)
Manuel Rosales, Miami
Carola Ayala, Hallendale Beach
Albert Rodriguez, Miami
James Boloix, Miami
Nelson A. Rodriguez, Coral Gables
Nita Yeung, Pinecrest
Emma Choy, Leisure City
Kevin Fulbright, Homestead
HingYu Yeung, Pinecrest
Hoi Sang Yeung, Pinecrest
Oren Moskowitz, West Orange, NY
Madeline Munilla, South Miami
Corey Schwartz, Coral Gables
Ayoub Qunir, Miami
Vladimir Golik, Kendall
Randolph R. Kroner, Miami
Eddie-Ann Freeman, Coconut Grove
Jaron Freeman, Coconut Grove
Anna Capo, Miami
Jason L. Baptitse, Port St. Lucie
Linh Ho, Orlando
Edward A. Cantos, Miami Beach
2 comments:
Karl Rove? That's Karl Rove with hair? He was obnoxious then as much as now.
It is all about SAND. What can these guys do for sand imports? That will make Armando rich.
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