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Understanding the Hillsborough County Republican Committee

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. 

Jeff Franklin - Vice-Chair

Mr. Franklin is a seasoned entrepreneur and small business owner with a deep-rooted commitment to civic engagement and community leadership. Over the past two election cycles, he has played a pivotal role in grassroots efforts, serving as a Precinct Captain for Precinct 123 and an Area Leader in South Tampa, while actively contributing to the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee. His dedication to strengthening the party at the local level has helped drive voter outreach, candidate support, and conservative advocacy. 

A steadfast champion of Constitutional principles, Mr. Franklin is passionate about preserving the foundational values that define our nation, including individual liberty, limited government, and fiscal responsibility. He believes in empowering citizens through informed decision-making and grassroots activism, ensuring that conservative voices are heard and represented. His leadership, strategic vision, and business acumen make him a valuable asset to the Republican movement in Hillsborough County. 

John Ballance - Treasurer

Mr. Ballance became actively involved with the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee in 2021 and was elected as a Precinct Committeeman in 2022. In 2024, he ran for the Constitutional office of Property Appraiser and, despite operating with limited campaign funds, secured an impressive 48% of the vote. His campaign demonstrated his commitment to fiscal responsibility and community engagement, earning him widespread recognition among local conservatives. 

Now serving as Treasurer, Mr. Ballance brings a strong corporate perspective, backed by solid expertise in financial reporting. His strategic approach to budgeting and financial oversight ensures the organization remains fiscally sound and well-positioned for future growth. Dedicated to advancing conservative values, he actively works to support candidates and policies that promote economic prosperity and limited government. His leadership and financial acumen make him a valuable asset to the Republican Executive Committee and the broader Hillsborough County community. 

Angel Ramos - Secretary

Angel Ramos was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Philadelphia before moving to Tampa in 2019. He owns Cubic IT Consulting, specializing in business technology solutions.

In 2020, during the pandemic, he founded The People's Olive Branch, a media company focused on countering mainstream misinformation. His passion for truth and civic engagement drives his advocacy efforts.

In 2024, Mr. Ramos served as Chair of the Turning Point Action Latinos Coalition, leading voter registration and outreach efforts in the Latino community. He also worked with the Hillsborough Republican Executive Committee and multiple Republican candidates to enhance voter targeting and engagement.

Committed to strengthening Latino representation in the conservative movement, Mr. Ramos continues to be a leader in grassroots activism and political strategy. 

April Schiff - State Committeewoman

April Schiff is the President and Co-Founder of Strategic Solutions of Florida, a leading political consulting firm with over 20 years of success in strategy, advocacy, and grassroots campaigns.

She is the Bay News 9 Republican Political Analyst, a regular guest on WEDU Florida This Week, and a trusted source for national media, including Politico, The Hill, and The Washington Post.

Elected county-wide in 2020, Ms. Schiff serves as Hillsborough State Committeewoman on the Florida GOP State Executive Committee. She also holds leadership roles as Congressional District 14 Chair, Chair of the Women’s Engagement Committee, and Vice Chair of the Voter Registration Committee.

Paul Sidney Elliott - State Committeeman

Mr. Elliott, a native Floridian, is a practicing attorney, mediator, and arbitrator. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law. From 1981 to 1988, he served as a County Court and Acting Circuit Court Judge in Hillsborough County.

An active member of numerous professional and community organizations, Mr. Elliott joined the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee in 2021. In December 2024, he was elected State Committeeman for Hillsborough County, and in January 2025, he also became a member of the Republican Party of Florida Executive Committee.