Jacob Ogles
It looks like George Riley will once again call the day-to-day shots at the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF).
Chair Evan Power announced that Riley will return as Executive Director of the state party. Meanwhile, Alexander Pantinakis will serve as the RPOF Political Director.
“George Riley is a tremendous asset to our Party and I’m pleased to have him serve as Executive Director as we continue to make Florida a Republican stronghold,” Power said.
Riley has worked professionally in Republican politics in Florida since 2008, when he worked as a field staffer in Tampa. Since then, he has served under seven Florida GOP Chairs in a variety of positions within RPOF.
From 2016 through 2019, he served as the Executive Director for the party over two strong cycles for Florida Republicans. At various points, he has also worked as regional field manager, Director of Party Development and Political Director.
He succeeds Helen Aguirre Ferré as Executive Director for the party.
Since 2020, the Tallahassee-based political professional has served as a senior advisor to the party while also working as Executive Director for Conservatives for Clean Energy-Florida.
Pantinakis, a Jacksonville-based political strategist, has worked on campaigns for candidates around Florida seeking local, state and federal office. He previously served as Duval County’s GOP State Committeeman, the youngest in state history, and has long been active in the local party.
Pantinakis has also been recognized in Influence Magazine’s “30 under 30 in Florida Politics” and as one of Jacksonville Bold’s “Top 10 People to Watch in Jacksonville Politics.”
“Alex Pantinakis is a great talent,” Power said. “I am extremely pleased that he will join us to help us build our grassroots operation to deliver victories across Florida in November.”
The hires come as Power builds up a staff in a presidential year and after a period of unexpected internal chaos. A high-profile sex scandal prompted the Republican Party Executive Committee to remove former Chair Christian Ziegler earlier this year and replace him with Power.
18 comments
Trump 2024
March 8, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Welcome!! 🇺🇸
We will MAGA!
Trump/Donalds 2024
March 8, 2024 at 12:35 pm
It’s critical that we remember the
Word of President Donald J. Teump
We want to have unity, and we’re going to have unity, and it’s going to happen very quickly,” Trump said. He was in and out of his Mar-a-Lago Club’s ballroom in 22 minutes.
Byron Donalds also calls for unity! RINOs like
Nikki Haley have no place in the USA
It’s time for sober minds to prevail and just do the right thing and give everybody an opportunity to unite behind President Trump,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said at Trump’s party. “Sometimes people say they don’t want pizza, they want chicken wings. But at the end of the day, when food’s on the table, you’re going to eat.”
Dementia Joe
March 8, 2024 at 12:38 pm
We need to beat dementia Joe in Florida! MAGA
Trump/Donalds 2024
March 8, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Agreed. Biden only has two stages – lying or forgetting lol
Ashley
March 8, 2024 at 12:52 pm
George Riley is a proven leader.
He’ll get th job done
Pissed off chuck
March 8, 2024 at 12:44 pm
We don’t need any RINOs in 2024.
Straight Trump straight GOP ballot in November
Election Day voter
Ashley
March 8, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Donalds would be a good vice president
Is he going to be the pick? When does that taken?
Pat
March 8, 2024 at 12:40 pm
George will do a great job
Pissed off chuck
March 8, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Evan power is building thr right team
Dementia Joe
March 8, 2024 at 12:37 pm
Riley and Pantinakis
will lead the way in beating dementia
Brain filled Joe Biden and electing Trump
Dementia Joe
March 8, 2024 at 12:48 pm
That the State of the onion SHAM only makes it worse
A president who can barely string a few sentences together not fit to be commander and chief of the United States
We the people support the rightful president. President Donald j. Trump
Thank you Helen
March 8, 2024 at 12:39 pm
Thank you Helen Ferre for your years of service to the GOP!
The people of Florida are grateful for your leadership
Pissed off chuck
March 8, 2024 at 12:46 pm
Helen has been great
Pach E. Derm
March 8, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Let’s hope that Patanakis does a better job in Tallahassee than he did in Jacksonville. Under his guidance both Davis and Fisher went down in flames in races that they should easily have won.
Not to mention the long list of down ballot candidates that woefully lost due to poor strategy and sloppy work.
This feels like a consolation prize for him since his mentor did not bring him along to Trump World. What a shame that the RPOF has to get a second tier operative in this important role during an important year.
RayJay
March 8, 2024 at 4:51 pm
A quick Google search shows zero party level experience for Patanakis other than being an elected activist. How in any way does being a State Committeeman and a way down ballot political consultant prepare or qualify you for one of the most important political operative roles in Florida?
These jobs typically go to someone who has been successful as a PD in a smaller state or have served as a Deputy PD in the state that hires them.
This very much feels like he was inserted by someone to keep an eye on the party or no one else wanted the job. Either way, based upon Alex’s lack of any real state party experience, he will be in over his head from the get and will likely drown in the job.
Let’s just hope that he does not take the party down with him.
the way it is
March 11, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Hey Packederm, Daniel Davis was a bad candidate, no one could have saved him, and Fisher was not likable, is mike gay going to run again??? spend another 200K to win?
RL
March 8, 2024 at 6:43 pm
Alex “Peter Principle” Patanakis has risen from the grave.
After spending the past five months being turned down by every candidate in Northeast Florida, he now has a lucrative six figure gig as the Political Director of the Republican Party. It certainly beats being told no by whack job school board candidates and trust fund babies with a dream.
All of us Jax folks are happy that he is headed to Tallahassee and a group has formed to help him pack.
The Oracle
March 8, 2024 at 11:13 pm
Alex actually had a few wins in 2023. Working for the Jax Chamber, he helped elect Democrats Johnson and Peluso to the City Council.
Perhaps he can give Darling Nicki some freelance time when he is in Tally.
Comments are closed.