Photo courtesy RPOS: Secretary John Coughlin, Vice Chair Alice Rothbauer, Chair Jack Brill, Treasurer Atticus Frank

The Republican Party of Sarasota re-elected Jack Brill as chair of the county party on Thursday. And despite friction with right-wing activists in south Sarasota County, Brill won his largest margin of victory in a party election to date.

“I’m honored and humbled by the tremendous support I’ve received in this re-election, and the confidence placed in me and my leadership team,” Brill said in a statement. “Republicans are focused on unity and delivering victories, and together, we’ve achieved both, particularly record-breaking victories on election day. As we move forward, I’m excited to continue working with President (Donald) Trump’s and Florida’s leadership over the next two years to ensure even greater success for our party, our county and our country.”

Brill won in a 148-54 vote, taking 69% of the vote over Duff Smiley. Additionally, Alice Rothbauer won re-election as vice chair, John Coughlin won another term as secretary and Attircus Frank was re-elected as treasurer.

Of note, the landslide victory for Brill came after the Republican Party of Florida removed a number of voting members of the Republican Executive Committee for their association with the Florida Republican Assembly, a group engaged in litigation with the state party. There have been local tensions between the county party and a local chapter of the Republican Assembly, which published a voter guide before the August primary many thought was posing as a list of county party endorsements.

Brill two years ago won election as chair by a much smaller margin of 167-134. While that marked his formal ascension to county chair, he had been acting chair the past four years when Joe Gruters held the formal Chair title but served as Republican Party of Florida state Chair.

Gruters no longer has a position with the local party but serves as the state’s National Committeeman with the Republican National Committee.

Republican State Committeeman Joe Nuender and State Committeewoman Rachel Frank were elected in countywide votes in August.

Photo courtesy RPOS: Secretary John Coughlin, Vice Chair Alice Rothbauer, Chair Jack Brill, Treasurer Atticus Frank