Ryan Ray
Juston Johnson has resigned as executive director of the state Republican Party, part of a chain reaction of events on Saturday afternoon that has dramatically changed the internal dynamics of the Florida GOP.
Johnson’s exit came as State Rep. Blaise Ingoglia was elected RPOF Chairman in a runoff over incumbent Leslie Dougher 132-90, stunning many observers and upsetting a delicate political ecology held together by Gov. Rick Scott’s receding influence within his own party.
Johnson — like many of Scott’s revolving cohort of allies in power — got his start at a great distance from Tallahassee, in his native Wisconsin. Before serving as National Field Director for the Republican National Committee during the 2012 cycle, he headed up the campaign that vanquished legendary progressive Wisconsinite U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold as Campaign Manager for Sen. Ron Johnson.
As head of the RPOF in 2013 & 2014, Johnson continued to amass victories as the unpopular Scott was re-elected and joined in office by a new super-majority in the State House. But as Chair Ingoglia wasted no time in asserting control over the state party, Johnson was equally swift, announcing his resignation effective immediately within hours of Ingoglia’s insurgent coup.
