Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
There’re breakfasts and tailgates, post-session beers and pre-session rallies.
The Republican Party of Florida outlined the schedule for state delegates in a 17-page packet this week. The packets, sent to the 99 delegates and 96 alternates heading to the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, are meant to give Florida Republicans a rundown of the delegation’s events, as well as answer questions dealing with lodging, transportation and fees.
House Speaker-designate Richard Corcoran, one of the 15 at-large delegates chosen by the RPOF, will play a big role in the festivities. The Land O’Lakes Republican is hosting one of the first events of the week — a breakfast buffet and speaker series with pollster Frank Luntz on July 18.
Corcoran is the hosting a similar breakfast on July 20 and July 21. No speakers were listed for those breakfasts.
He isn’t the only one hosting a breakfast. On July 19, the delegation is invited to attend Adam Putnam’s Florida Grown Breakfast. That breakfast — much like the ones hosted by Corcoran — will be held at Embassy Suites where the delegation will be staying.
The delegation will receive a tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on July 18. According to the packet, “private access to the Hall will include cocktails, appetizers, and access to the newest exhibit ‘Louder than Words: Rock, Power and Politics.’”
On July 19, the members of the delegation are invited to celebrate with other southern state delegations. The tailgate will include a band, tailgate food and craft beer. The tailgate will include the delegations from several southern states, including Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana.
That same evening, the delegation has a post-session reception planned with the Arizona delegation at Nano Brew Cleveland. That event includes 16 local craft brews, including a GOP pilsner and live band.
Florida delegates are invited to participate in a pre-session rally on July 21, the final day of the convention, at FWD Day + Nightclub, a pool club located on the river in the Flats East Bank in Cleveland.
In May, the Republican Party of Florida picked its final delegates to represent the state. The at-large delegates include Corcoran, Senate President-designate Joe Negron, and Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto.
The 2016 Republican National Convention runs from July 18 until July 21.
