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Insider Poll: Bush stronger against Hillary, Fla primary likely Bush v. Rubio

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I participated in the latest Florida Insider Poll today.

Check out some portions below and click here for the full article.

From: Adam C. Smith, Times Political Editor, Friday April 10th, 2015

“Fact: It’s virtially impossible for Republicans to win the White House if they fail to win Florida’s 29 electoral votes. Fact: Florida, for the first time ever, has two leading contenders for the Republican presidential nomination, Marco Rubio. who is expected to make his candidacy offical Monday and Jeb, Bush, who seems happy to pretend he hasn’t aleady decided while he continues to raise tens of millions of dollars for his candidacy.

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More than 78 percent of our Florida Insiders said Bush would be the stronger candidate against Clinton in Florida.

 

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From a Republican: “No matter the GOP nominee — Florida will never move out of the toss up column in 2016. In the end Jeb or Rubio would carry Florida over Hillary …..Anyone else on the GOP side and Florida goes blue when all said and done.”

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Our Insiders do not take [Hillary] Clinton for granted. More than 72 percent said she has a strong chance to win Florida in the general election, including 57 percent of our Republican Insiders.

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Nearly 80 percent said that Rubio will run for governor in 2018 if he is not elected Republican President, and many think that’s the real game plan.

For the full article, click here.

Participants in our latest Florida Insider poll include 75 Republicans, 47 Democrats, and 11 people registered to neither major party.  They are:

Ana Cruz, Bob Poe, Kelly Cohen, Michael Albetta, Christina Johnson, David Aronberg, Gus Corbella, Brian Crowley, Ana Navarro, Chris Kise, Cindy Graves, Bud Shorstein, Towson Fraser, Eric Jotkoff, Cory Tilley, Eric Johnson, Aubrey Jewett, Frank Tsamoutales, Husein Cumber, Jim Rimes, Kevin Cate, Stephen Shiver, Nancy Watkins, Rockie Pennington, Bernie Campbell, Monica Russo, Andy Ford, Justin Day, Susannah Randolph, Christian Camara, Dean Cannon, Rick Wilson, Stephen Bittel, Scott Arceneaux, Zach Zachariah, Ron Sachs, Jamie Wilson, Sarah Rumpf, Hayden Dempsey, Roger Stone, Jeff Johnson, Kristy Campbell, Ryan Wiggins, Anthony Pedicini, Kathy Mears, Jackie Lee, Meredith Orourke, Seth Mckee, Fred Piccolo, Ryan Tyson, Mark Ferrulo, Joe Perry, Dave Karvelas, Brian Ballard, Matthew Corrigan, Julia Gill Woodward, Alan Clendenin, Ron Greenstein, Pat Neal, Nancy McGowan, Mark Zubaly Brad Coker, Pablo Diaz, Richard DeNapoli, Dan Smith, Jennifer Green, Nikki Lowrey, Scott Peelen, Steve Geller, Ann Herberger, Doc Dockery, Nels Kingston, Davod Bishop, Steve Schale, Steve Uhlelder, Paula Dockery, David Colburn, Rich Heffley, Mac Stipanovich, Darrick McGhee, James Harris, Karen Unger, Frank Mirabella, Alex Sink, Alex Patton, Martion Hammer, Jason Unger, Nick Hansen, Jason Roth, Ellen Freidin, John French, Rodney Barreto, Marty Fiorentino, Arlene DiBenigno, Ron Gunzberger, Marc Reichelderfer, Susie Wiles, Trey Stapleton, Damien Filer, Andrew Gillum, Robert Coker, John Morgan, John Stemberger, Steve Schale, Bob Graham, Erik Kirk, Fred Karlinsky, Millie Herrera, Mike Hana, Darryl Paulson, Abel Harding, Alia Faraj-Johnson, Stafford Jones, John Wehrung, Kevin King, Jim Kitchens, Mike Hamby, Greg Truax, Kathleen Shanahan, Peter Antonacci, Mark Guzzetta, Jamie Miller, Mitch Ceasar, Barry Edwards, Karl Koch, Stephanie Kunkel.

Florida Insider Poll: Who’s Likely to Run in the 2016 Senate Race?

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Today, Richard DeNapoli was a featured participant in the Tampa Bay Times Fla Insider Poll…here’s an excerpt…

Fla Insider Poll: Sizing up Fla’s ’16 US Senate race
Adam C. SmithAdam C. Smith, Times Political Editor
Friday, January 30, 2015 8:40am

An open U.S. Senate seat is usually a once-in-a-generation opportunity for ambitious poltiticians. And with Marco Rubio moving toward a presidential run and vowing he would not hang onto his senate seat as a fall-back, 2016 is shaping up to be another huge cyce for political dominoes to tumble in Florida — a state with countless credible Republican contenders and a tiny Democratic bench.

Who’s likely to run, and who’s not? Time for another Florida Insider Poll, taking the pulse of many of Florida’s most experienced and sophisticated political minds.

Nearly 130 Florida campaign professionals, fundraisers, lobbyists, political scientists, and the like participated and underscored how many more options Republicans have than beleaguered Florida Democrats. Still, there was wide agreement on the likely nominee, with 56 percent predicting Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater of Palm Beach County would wind up the GOP nominee.

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At least initially, the field could be vast.

“If Marco doesn’t run, with a wide open seat, every current and former Republican elected and with a pulse will express interest in running. But it will quickly whittle down to a smaller field of serious contenders, including some of the folks elected statewide currently serving in term-limited positions in Tallahassee,” said a Republican.

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The Democratic side of the equation is much tougher, with only one statewide elected Democrat, Bill Nelson, already serving in the U.S. Senate. The skimpiness of the Democratic bench is underscored with the Florida Insider Poll, with the two most common predictions being little-known relative newcomers, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of Palm Beach County and newly elected U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham of Leon County.

“Either Graham or Murphy would be a good candidate for the Dems. To win, the Democrat needs to avoid a primary and hope the Republicans have a messy one,” one Democrat said.

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FOR THE FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

Election Recap: DeNapoli wins Absentee Votes, but Gonzalez Ruled Election Day to win

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DeNapoli wins absentee ballot count, but Gonzalez ruled Election Day

By Jeremy Wallace, Sarasota Herald Tribune, Wednesday, August 27, 2014

It was a tale of two elections in the House District 74 election.

Venice doctor Julio Gonzalez defeated Richard DeNapoli on Tuesday night, winning 57 percent of the vote in the most hotly contested Republican Primary in the region.

But it wasn’t as one-sided as the results show.

Election results show DeNapoli beat Gonzalez in the absentee voting that started at the end of July. DeNapoli was winning 53.2 percent of the absentee ballots.

DeNapoli prided himself on getting out and going door to door months before Gonzalez went out in full force. DeNapoli’s aggressive early campaign with Gonzalez’s campaigns slow ramp up likely contributed to that results.

But Gonzalez erased most of the gap in early voting that started Aug. 16. When polls opened on Tuesday and after weeks of television ads and mailers, Gonzalez was up, but he and DeNapoli were separated by just 138 votes.

Then everything changed.

Gonzalez won nearly two out of every three Republican voters on Election Day. That 138 vote margin ballooned to almost 2,000.

Undoubtedly, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will get a lot of credit for Gonzalez rebound. Rubio cut a television commercial supporting Gonzalez that was airing non-stop in the closing days of the election to help drive turnout.

Election Results: DeNapoli wins Absentee Votes, but Gonzalez Wins Early and Election Day Votes to win the election

Election Results: DeNapoli wins Absentee Votes, but Gonzalez Wins Early and Election Day Votes to win the election

To read more, click here

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From “House District 74: Julio Gonzalez“

by Jeremy Wallace, Sarasota Herald Tribune, August 26th, 2014

…The two candidates [DeNapoli and Gonzalez] combined to spend more than $660,000 in their battle to win a two-year term that pays just over $30,000 a year. In addition, political groups poured in at least another $900,000, for a combined $1.5 million used primarily on attacking ads on TV, in mailers and on the Internet. …

Gonzalez benefitted from a strong endorsement from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Miami Republican, down the stretch. Rubio made television ads that blanketed Sarasota in an effort to help Gonzalez.

“I am forever indebted to him,” Gonzalez said.

DeNapoli, who called Gonzalez to concede and endorse him, said he had no regrets. He said he didn’t have the money to overcome the outside political committees that helped Gonzalez.

The Florida Medical Association alone spent more than $375,000 through a pair of political action committees to run ads against DeNapoli. …

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From “Polls Show Sarasota County Divided“

by Jeremy Wallace, Sarasota Herald Tribune, August 27th, 2014

…in the state House District 74 primary battle between Republicans Julio Gonzalez and Richard DeNapoli, voters in Venice and North Port took opposing approaches.

DeNapoli won in North Port with 51 percent of the vote. But Venice favored Gonzalez, with 64 percent of the vote.

Because turnout was much higher in Venice, Gonzalez won the seat, despite losing North Port, the county’s largest city.

…DeNapoli and [Shannon] Snyder [a County Commission candidate] showed that while North Port can break differently than other parts of the county, winning there is not yet enough to build a victorious campaign because of how much lower voter turnout is there compared to areas like Venice.

Though North Port has 59,000 residents, only about 5,800 voted Tuesday, even though it had two big City Commission races, three School Board races and a premier state House race on the ballot. In Venice, which has 21,000 residents, almost 3,800 voters turned out.

[Republican Party County Chairman Joe] Gruters said if North Port residents took advantage of their potential political power, they could dominate county politics.

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From “Gonzalez Clinches House District 74 Seat”

By Steve Reilly, North Port Sun, August 27th, 2014

…Gonzalez said he was pleased DeNapoli had called to congratulate him.

“He was very cordial and gracious and he wished me a lot of success and I’m very grateful that he called and expressed his well wishes,” he said.


Richard DeNapoli at Marco Rubio Book Signing in Broward

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Richard had the pleasure of purchasing two of Senator Marco Rubio’s Books – An American Son – at Marco’s book signing at a Barnes and Noble in Fort Lauderdale today, June 30, 2012.

Richard DeNapoli at Senator Marco Rubio's Book Signing in Fort Lauderdale

Broward GOP Chairman Richard DeNapoli at Senator Marco Rubio’s Book Signing in Fort Lauderdale

Richard DeNapoli and the Marco Rubio Bus

Richard DeNapoli and the Marco Rubio Bus

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Book description of An American Son from Amazon.com – you can get your own copy from Amazon by clicking: www.amazon.com

Few politicians have risen to national prominence as quickly as Marco Rubio. At age forty-one he’s the subject of widespread interest and speculation. But he has never before told the full story of his unlikely journey, with all the twists and turns that made him an American son.

That journey began when his parents first left Cuba in 1956. After Fidel Castro solidified his Communist grip on power, Mario and Oria Rubio could never again return to their homeland. But they embraced their new country and taught their children to appreciate its unique opportunities. Every sacrifice they made over the years, as they worked hard at blue-collar jobs in Miami and Las Vegas, was for their children.

As a boy, Rubio spent countless hours with his grandfather, discussing history and current events. “Papa” loved being Cuban, but he also loved America for being a beacon of liberty to oppressed people around the world. As Rubio puts it, “My grandfather didn’t know America was exceptional because he read about it in a book. He lived it and saw it with his own eyes.”

Devastated after his grandfather’s death, Rubio was getting poor grades and struggled to fit in at his high school, where some classmates mocked him as “too American.” But then he buckled down for college and law school, driven by his twin passions for football and politics. He played football at a small college in Mis­souri, then came back to Florida to attend Santa Fe Community College and the University of Florida. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Miami and took a job at a law firm, which paid him a handsome salary that allowed his father to retire.

As a young attorney he ran for the West Miami City Commission, a role that led to the Florida House of Representatives. In just six years he rose to Speaker of the House and became a leading advocate for free enter­prise, better schools, limited government, and a fairer, simpler tax system. He found that he could connect with people across party lines while still upholding conserva­tive values.

His U.S. Senate campaign started as an extreme long shot against Florida’s popular incumbent governor, Charlie Crist. Undaunted by the early poll numbers and the time away from his wife and kids, Rubio traveled the state with his message of empowerment and optimism. He upset Crist in both the primary and a dramatic three-way general election, after Crist quit the GOP to run as an independent.

Now Rubio speaks on the national stage about the challenges we face and the better future that’s possible if we return to our founding principles. As he puts it, “Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Con­servatism is about allowing people to catch up.”

In that vision, as in his family’s story, Rubio proves that the American Dream is still alive for those who pur­sue it.

Richard DeNapoli Supports Marco Rubio at the Rubio Breakfast Rally in Coral Springs on September 25, 2010

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Today, September 25, 2010, Richard DeNapoli, Treasurer of the Broward Republican Party, had the pleasure of attending the Marco Rubio rally breakfast in Coral Springs. Richard, along with other volunteers, made hundreds of calls on behalf of Marco Rubio’s campaign.  Richard previously attended the Reclaim America Town Hall on July 31 in Fort Lauderdale featuring Marco Rubio and Eric Cantor.  Richard is proud to support Marco Rubio, the Republican nominee in this November’s General Election.  Marco is the Republican nominee against former Republican Governor Charlie Crist, who is running as an independent, and Kendrick Meek, the Democrat nominee, in the November 2010 General Election.

Richard DeNapoli with Marco Rubio at the Marco Rubio Rally in Coral Springs, September 25, 2010

Richard DeNapoli with Marco Rubio at the Marco Rubio Rally in Coral Springs, September 25, 2010

RICHARD DENAPOLI’S
MORE THAN 10-YEAR COMMITMENT
TO REPUBLICAN & CONSERVATIVE CAUSES
ENERGY & ENTHUSIASM
LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE
Fellow BREC Member,
As we approach election day on Monday, December 6th, I wanted to share with you my Volunteer Resume. I have been committed to our party and the conservative cause as aGrassroots Volunteer & Activist for more than 10 years in New York and Florida, and look forward to serving you as your Chair.
Colleen Stolberg and I have the experience, grassroots commitment, and longevity in the BREC to truly make a positive impact. See below after the Volunteer Resume how Colleen and I have worked to implement our Eight Point Platform for the Almost Eight Hundred Precincts in Broward.Colleen and I will work with all of you to make our Executive Committee stronger. We humbly ask for your vote on December 6th.Thank you,Richard DeNapoli

Richard DeNapoli’s Republican, Conservative, and Business Resume

1995 – 1999 – Active in College Republicans
1999 – Leadership Institute “training conservative leaders” Youth Leadership School Attendee

1999 – Earned Bachelor’s Degree, NYU, Majors: Politics, ItalianRichard Head Shot

2000 – Mayor Giuliani’s Legal Counsel’s Office; Volunteer for President Bush, local Republican State Senator, and the Rick Lazio for Senate Campaign; Poll watcher; Featured on ABC News during the 2000 Election Recount as a law student supporting Bush

2001 – Legal intern for the Center for the Community Interest, wrote briefs in support of Giuliani administration reforms

2001 – Political Consultant for Republican Campaign for New York City Council

2002 – Volunteer for Republican New York State CRichard with Jebontroller candidate

2002 – Earned Law Degree, Fordham

2003 – Returned to Florida to care for my elderly grandparents, opened Law Offices of Richard DeNapoli, specializing in Real Estate, Wills, Trusts

2003-2004 – Political Consultant, January Special Election District 91, became involved in BREC

2003 – Joined Broward County Young Republicans

2004 – Volunteer, President Bush, Broward County

2006 – Volunteer, Brenda Lynn Di Ioia for County Judge

2006 – Volunteer, Charlie Crist for Governor

2006 – Started getting more involved in our local Broward clubsRichard

2006 – Began service on BREC Candidate Recruitment and Political Committees

2007 – Leadership Hollywood Class XXXI

2007 – Host Committee, BREC Lincoln Day Gala with Mayor Giuliani, the most financially successful Lincoln Day in recent times

2007 – Featured on ABC Nightly News for Real Estate Investing

2007 – Attendee RBN Campaign Management Training

2007 – Appointed to the Florida Real Estate Commission

2008 – Earned Master of Law Degree in Estate Planning, University of Miami

2008 – Accepted offer to join a Private Bank as a Trust Officer; closed my law practice

2008 – Volunteer, Giuliani Presidential Campaign; Volunteer, John McCain after primary – made thousands of calls from the Southeast Victory Office, contributed, attended events all over the county for John McCain.

I always support our Republican nominees.Richard Newt

2008 – Delegate, Republican National Convention

2009 – Speaker, January 2009 BREC Meeting. Gave extensive presentation regarding Election 2008 Results

2009 – Treasurer, Southeast Club; Treasurer, Broward County Young Republicans

2009 – BREC Lincoln Day with Newt Gingrich; Volunteer

2009 – Attended Tax Day Tea Party & July 4th Tea Party at Broward & Federal with other BREC members

2009 – Attended RPOF Statesman’s Dinner in Orlando

2009 – Named to Broward County Political Leadership Team, Steering Committee, Bill McCollum for GovernorRichard with McCollum

January 2010 – Speaker/Presenter at BREC Campaign School

March 2010 – Founded Republican Club of Greater Hollywood with other BREC members from around Broward County…speakers included Karen Harrington, Hollywood City Commissioner Patty Asseff, Hollywood City Commissioner Heidi O’Sheehan, Sheriff Al Lamberti, School Board Member Former Chair/Vice Chair Kevin Tynan, RNC Secretary/State & National Committeewoman Sharon Day, State Committeeman Ed Kennedy, Commissioner Chip LaMarca, Chair Cindy Guerra…grew club to 40 members in a couple of monthsRichard Sharon Day

Spring through November 2010 –Attended Allen West functions, fundraisers, was on Allen West legal team

April 2010 – Attended Tax Day Tea Party Broward & Federal with other BREC members

May 2010 – Elected Treasurer of BREC. Total funds raised in 2010 after May 2010: $40,000. Funds raised in 2010 prior to May: $2,480.

June 2010 – Issued fundraising challenge at BREC meeting, matching any contributions personally up to $500.

July 2010 – Attended BREC Precinct Training, assisted in formulating programRichard with Marco Rubio

July 2010 – Attended the Reclaim America Town Hall on July 31 in Fort Lauderdale featuring Marco Rubio and Eric Cantor

August 2010 – Co-sponsored and moderated the Congressional 20 Republican Candidates debate, with over 200 attendees. Pledged as a BREC Officer and a local club President not to endorse any candidate in the primary. Supported Republican nominee Karen Harrington after the primary. I always support our Republican nominees.

August 2010 – Attended Super Saturday Meet Marco Rubio at BREC Headquarters before the primary.

August 2010 – Attended Broward GOP Unity Breakfast after the August 24th PrimaryRichard with George Moraitis

August 2010 – I proudly supported Bill McCollum in the primary – my commitment to his campaign began prior to my time as BREC Treasurer…and when McCollum lost I proudly supported our Republican nominee and now Governor-Elect Rick Scott. I always support our Republican nominees.

August through November 2010 – Walked for George Moraitis after the primary. Served on Moraitis host committee for fundraiser.

August 2010 – Speaker/Presenter at RBN-sponsored Precinct Training session in Coral Springs

August 2010 – Helped set up the Northwest Victory Office, setting up computers, furniture, etc.

September 2010 – Attended the Breakfast with Marco Rubio at the Northwest Victory OfficeUnity with Allen West

September 2010 – Organized and was a speaker/presenter at a precinct training session with State Committeeman Ed Kennedy at the Greater Hollywood Club

September 2010 – Attended Scott/Carroll Event at Dolphins Stadium

October 2010 – Walked for Allen West with other BREC members at the Tea Party Fort Lauderdale sponsored walk

October 2010 – Broward GOP Victory Dinner. Worked with Board to raise money for BREC’s support of our local candidates. Raised about $20,000.

October 2010 – Phone banked at the Northwest Victory Office for all Republican Candidates

October 2010 – Walked precincts from the Northwest Victory Office for ALL Republican Candidates

October 2010 – Delivered supplies for precinct walking campaigns to the Southwest Victory Office

October 2010 – Provided precinct information to many of our members; provided information on Early Voting and Absentee Voting stats via facebook through Election DayWith Rick Scott

October 2010 – Phone-banked for all the Statewide candidates on numerous occasions from home and at victory offices

October 2010 – Helped make hundreds of signs at the Rick Scott headquarters

Early Voting – Election Day 2010 – Poll Watcher for Rick Scott and all statewide candidates during Early Voting and on Election Day

Election Eve 2010 – Placed approximately 200 signs around Hollywood and Hallandale Beach for Rick Scott

Election Night 2010 – Sponsored with my own funds the Broward GOP Election Night Victory Party…more than 100 attended.

 

Making Calls
Making calls at the Fort Lauderdale Victory Office
Precinct Walk 10-23
Getting ready for a precinct walk on 10-23-2010