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The Race to Succeed Term Limited Republican Doug Holder

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Sarasota Herald-Tribune, October 12, 2013.

The contest to replace term-limited Republican Rep. Doug Holder in a Venice-area state House seat is shaping up to be a major showdown, with attorney Richard DeNapoli kicking in $150,000 of his own money in the fundraising quarter that ended Sept. 30.

The personal contribution allowed DeNapoli to surge past well-connected Venice orthopedic surgeon Julio Gonzalez in total cash raised. DeNapoli now has $183,840 compared with $120,361 for Gonzalez.

State Rep. Doug Holder (STAFF PHOTO / THOMAS BENDER)

State Rep. Doug Holder (STAFF PHOTO / THOMAS BENDER)

Both men are Republicans in a conservative district that is likely to be decided in the primary.

“I’m making the investment in the campaign and I’m in it to win it,” DeNapoli said Friday after the third quarter fundraising totals were reported.

DeNapoli served as chairman of the Republican Party of Broward County before moving earlier this year to Nokomis, where he practices estate planning and trust law. He entered the House race in August and already has made some important connections. State Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, is endorsing the candidate.

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Richard DeNapoli Makes Moves, Gets Support in House Race

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Richard DeNapoli Makes Moves, Gets Support in House Race

By: ALLISON NIELSEN | Posted: August 7, 2013 3:55 AM, Originally featured here in Sunshine State News
Richard DeNapoli

As suddenly as he jumped into a new county in a new district, Richard DeNapoli hopped into the race to replace Rep. Doug Holder in Florida House District 74 Monday, and he’s already making waves and gaining support from GOP representatives across the state.

HD 74, which covers most of Sarasota County, will soon need a new representative because Holder faces term limits. Holder has served the district since 2007. DeNapoli, on the other hand, has been living across-state in Broward County.

Born and raised in Hollywood, DeNapoli left the Sunshine State briefly to attend Fordham Law School in New York City. He returned to South Florida to attend the University of Miami, where he received his master’s degree in estate planning in 2008.
DeNapoli was appointed a commissioner in the Florida Real Estate Commission in 2007, and was reappointed and confirmed by the Florida Senate.

He stepped on the scene in Florida politics when he became treasurer of the Broward County Republican Party in 2010 and was later elected chair in December 2012. He became well-known as a strong Republican Party fundraiser, and has been lauded by conservatives for his work to boost party development and fundraise in Broward County.

Yet, despite his successes in the second-largest county in the state, DeNapoli packed his bags and left South Florida to move to Sarasota County with his family this year. He told Sunshine State News he moved to the west coast because it’s “a beautiful place to live, work, and raise a family.”

DeNapoli decided to get into the race after speaking with friends, family and people in the Sarasota community.

“I talked to a lot of local people,” he said.

He said he not only brings experience, but focus to the race.

“I’m an attorney and a financial planner. I like focusing on results. We’ve got a lot of serious issues facing our state going forward,” DeNapoli explained. “I think we need to maintain conservative principles that Governor Scott’s administration is putting forward over the last few years. We need to keep Florida on that track.”

Other state representatives have taken notice of DeNapoli’s intentions to run and have jumped onboard to endorse him in the race for the Florida House. Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, and Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, both had warm words of praise for DeNapoli and his conservative values.

“Richard DeNapoli is a true conservative who Sarasota residents can count on to keep Florida on the road to economic prosperity. He’s an intelligent, common-sense conservative who won’t back down from his principles,” said Rep. Moraitis.”Richard DeNapoli’s experience in retirement security, financial planning, and Florida law make him well-suited to protect Florida’s seniors and their issues in Tallahassee. He’d make a great partner to work with in Tallahassee when it comes to protecting Sarasota County and its citizens,” Rep. Pilon said.

Click here to read the rest of this piece on Sunshine State News

Broward GOP stalwart Richard DeNapoli announces run for House District 74

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AS FEATURED IN SAINTPETERSBLOG, Monday, August 5, 2013.

By 

A successful leader of the Broward County GOP Party is now turning his sights on Sarasota.

Attorney and Certified Financial Planner Richard DeNapoli announced today he is entering the race for the heavily Republican Florida House District 74 seat, which covers most of Sarasota County. The seat is currently held by term-limited Rep. Doug Holder.

“From property insurance to Medicaid and from education to pensions, Florida faces serious challenges that require methodical and thoughtful planning,” DeNapoli said in an announcement. “I’ve spent my entire career assisting moms, dads, seniors, and working Americans plan for the future. I intend to use that experience to help meet the challenges facing Florida’s future.”

DeNapoli was appointed as a Commissioner in the Florida Real Estate Commission in 2007, and was reappointed and confirmed by the Florida Senate.  He was also elected chair of the FREC from 2010-2011. He began his stint in the Broward Republican Party as Treasurer in 2010 and elected chair in December 2012.  In addition, Richard has actively championed Republican candidates in both New York and Florida.

As Chairman of the Broward Republican Executive Committee, DeNapoli, a Florida native, has developed a reputation as a strong GOP fundraiser. He received high marks from conservatives as “textbook case” for organizational success in one of the largest counties in the state, boosting party development, reaching out to constituents and supporting local candidates.

“My wife and I recently welcomed our first child into the world,” DeNapoli said about his son Victor, who was born August 2012. “For his future, and the future of all Floridians, it is essential to continue the fight to keep Florida on the path to economic recovery by sticking to our conservative principles. I look forward to engaging in a serious debate on the issues and am excited to launch this campaign.”

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