Understanding the Hillsborough County Republican Committee
Party Leader? Or a Legislator within the Party?
Party Leader? Or a Legislator within the Party?
Terminology matters, often people use the phrase "party leaders" when referring to their favorite Republicans. Technically this is incorrect.
There is a difference be tween elected officials (legislators) and the Republican party's actual LEADERS, they are not the same. The actual leadership of the Republican party is often unknown to the general population. It's not like these people are hiding. They are just not given the celebrity status that those in D.C. and state capitols are given. If you are reading this, it means you have found the Republican leaders within Hillsborough County.
The biggest difference between the two is their areas of focus. Legislators are working on bills for their county, state, or nation. There is no real connection from county representatives to state or even nationally.
The Republican party is a complete organizational structure it starts at the precinct level. Precincts generally comprise of 4-5 neighborhoods. Several people represent their precinct at the county level. This is called the Republican Executive Committee (REC). Once a month these people get together to conduct official business. The monthly meeting is led by the leadership that is elected from within the group. This is the most important position in all of politics. These people are the ones who are the closest to the voters and help to elect qualified candidates who represent them.
From the REC, 3 people from each county meet every quarter with every other county from the state. This group is called the State Executive Committee (SEC). One is elected by all of the precinct committee men and women, they are the Chairman. The other two are elected by Republicans from within the county, one is the State Committeeman and the other is the State Committeewoman. The quarterly meetings consist of training to help counties succeed in future elections. There are several committees from within this group that focus on many different issues from voting to outreach and other pertinent information.
From the SEC, 3 people represent the entire state at the next level you may be familiar with and that is the RNC, the Republican National Committee. There is a State Chairman, a National Committeeman, and a National Committeewoman. These people represent the issues that matter most to their respective states on the national stage.
There is an identified hierarchy that is established within the party. The number one goal of all of these entities is to elect qualified candidates who will best represent each of our communities. With all of that said, here are the links to the Republican leaders for our county as well as the elected officials who represent us and those running to represent our county in the future.
Executive Leadership
Executive Leadership
Carmen Edmonds - Chair
Carmen Edmonds was born and raised in the Midwest and moved to Tampa in 2019 with her husband. She worked in healthcare for 20 years as a Physical Therapist Assistant focusing on outpatient rehab and sports performance. She has been politically active since graduating college and her first presidential election she voted in was the Bush vs. Gore “hanging chad” incident. Seeing how important every vote truly is spurred her on to staying engaged and involved in local politics. Mobilizing and training grassroots volunteers is something she feels is important and necessary to help local candidates win elections.
Since moving to Tampa, Carmen has been involved in the Hillsborough GOP since May of 2021. She has volunteered for the Trump campaign, the DeSantis campaign, was the Area Leaders coordinator for the Precinct Development Committee and then became chair of the Precinct Development Committee. During this time, she has helped with training and curriculum development to help local precinct committeemen and women become successful in reaching out to their voters.
Rick Kunz - Vice Chair
Rick Kunz was born and raised in Florida. He and his wife, Kris, have been married 41 years and have six grown children and 12 grandchildren. Rick pastored churches in Missouri and Oklahoma before taking his family to Argentina where they served for 21 years. Later they served two years in the Middle East before retiring to the Tampa, Florida area.
As Vice-Chair of the HREC, Rick oversees the Get-out-the-Vote emphasis in each election cycle. He believes that it will take a movement of God to turn our hearts back to Him and return our country to its values. Until that time we must work hard to help elect men and women of character and principle to lead us.
Patrick Bailey - Treasurer
Marked by a childhood of nomadic military life, I developed a resilient spirit and a knack for adaptation. Armed with a Bachelor's in Business Management, I embarked on a journey of numerous successful business ventures. Amidst a whirlwind of a career, my role as a dedicated father to two school-age daughters remains paramount -- shaping my values of responsibility and commitment to family.
I have been deeply involved in community engagement, serving on my daughter's elementary school PTA in various leadership roles, from Treasurer to President and currently holding the position of President of the New Tampa Republican Club. Additionally, my passion for civic duty led me to actively participate in political campaigns. I am now lending my expertise as Treasurer to the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee to ensure effective resource management and strategic planning. Through each endeavor, whether in business or community service, I strive to make a meaningful impact, driven by a steadfast dedication to excellence and the betterment of those around me.
Maggie Stultz-Lalk was born and raised in Indiana. She and her husband Allen have been married 32 years and have 3 grown sons, 6 grandchildren, and an Australian Shepard, Juliet. Colonel Lalk served in the United States Air Force for 26+ years in multiple leadership positions such as Squadron Commander x4; Director of Nursing; Chief, Clinical Quality at Pentagon; Chief, Officer Recruiting. She was assigned in the following locations: Ohio, Philippines, Illinois, Texas, Alabama, Washington D.C, Florida, and Afghanistan. Within the Hillsborough Republican Executive Committee, Maggie has served as a Precinct Committeewoman for PCT 913. She was a trainer for the Basics/101 course to educate PCW/PCM. She serves as an Area Leader for the 900s and on the Precinct Development Committee. As recording secretary, Maggie is responsible for historical records of the Board and General meeting minutes as well as reports to the RPOF and the Supervisor of Elections.
April Schiff - State Committeewoman
April Schiff is the President and Co-Founder of Strategic Solutions of Florida, a successful political consulting firm with a solid record of leadership in strategy, advocacy and grassroots implementation. For over 20 years, Strategic Solutions has consistently assisted candidates in navigating the process of winning campaigns.
Ms. Schiff is the Bay News 9 Republican Political Analyst, she is a regular guest on the popular WEDU Florida This Week, she was featured in Florida Trends “Politics: Florida’s HIRED GUNS,” and she is a reliable source for radio, TV and news outlets nationwide. She is often relied upon for political insight by The Tampa Bay Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, Politico, The Hill, Wall Street Journal/Market Watch, The Washington Post, D. C. Examiner and others.
Ms. Schiff serves as the Hillsborough State Committeewoman, elected county-wide in 2020 to represent Hillsborough County on the Florida GOP State Executive Committee. She is honored to serve on the State Executive Board, as the Congressional District 14 Chair, and as Chair of the Women’s Engagement Committee, Vice Chair of the Voter Registration Committee, and as a member of the Vote by Mail Committee and previously on the Constitution and Rules Committee.
Coming Soon
Elected Officials
STATE
STATE SENATE
STATE HOUSE
COUNTY
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER
MEMBERS ONLY
Public Notice
MONTHLY MEETING:
May 9, 2024
Location
International Event Venue
6463 w Hillsborough Ave,
Tampa, FL 33634
Tampa, FL 33634
2nd Thursday of every month
Social hour starts at 6:00 pm.
The meeting starts at 7:00 pm.
The meeting starts at 7:00 pm.
Voting is a Fundamental
Right and Civic Duty!
- Express your voice
- Influence policies
- Hold leaders accountable
- Protect you and your family's rights
- Shape the future
