Committee: Richard Watson

KEEP RICK WATSON

STATE COMMITTEEMAN

The Candidate with Proven Leadership!

FRANKLIN COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (REC)

VOTE FOR RICK ON AUGUST 20TH IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Dear Friends,

You may have heard that after 7 years, I am retiring from my position as Franklin County Tax Collector, but if you ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you I am NOT the type to retire from my efforts to improve life in my community. This is why I am running for re-election as Franklin County’s Republican State Committeeman.  Every county in Florida has a state Committeewoman and a state Committeeman, and I have served as Franklin County’s State Committeeman since December 2020.  I am currently a member of the Republican Party of Florida Executive Committee.

For the first time, I am running in a contested race for this position.  Competition is a good thing!  It is proof of the vibrancy of our local Republican Party. Having run for elected office in the past, I realize that an elected official serves at the will of the people. I respect my opponent, but I believe I have the temperament and experience to represent Franklin County on a state level.

When I moved to Franklin County 32 years ago, I registered to vote.  I was registered as only the 207th Republican in the county!  Much has changed since then.  In June 2022, during my tenure as State Committeeman, Franklin County became a majority-Republican county.  Now, as of early July 2024, we have almost 1500 more registered Republicans than Democrats!  I am proud of being a part of turning Franklin County “Red” and am excited about our local party’s future!  

In January of this year, I chaired the committee that brought Senator Rick Scott to Apalachicola for our Lincoln/Reagan Day dinner.  Last month, I chaired the committee that brought State Senator Corey Simon to the county for a fundraiser.  It is my goal to continue working to elect Republicans at the local, state, and national level. 

From my own experience, I see what persistence and hard work can accomplish.  When I was appointed County Commissioner in 2015, I was the sole Republican on the Board.  Now, all the commissioners are Republican.  When I was appointed Franklin County Tax Collector in 2017, there were two Republicans in the constitutional offices.  Now, there are four!   In my years of public service in Franklin County, I have been frugal with the taxpayers’ money, all the while adding services, such as driver licenses and concealed weapons licenses at no additional cost to the county.  I also started the Kids Tag Art program for all the 5th graders in Franklin County. 

Please vote for me on August 20 as your Franklin County Republican State Committeeman!

Sincerely yours,

Rick Watson