by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
Duval County has a new political organization, the First Coast Federated Republican Women.
Since its debut in January, the club has enlisted 90 members: 63 full voting members and 27 male associates or dual members (those that are part of another federated club).
Founded by President Jean Anderson and First Vice President Judy Arranz, their intent was not to compete with the existing Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated, but to complement it. After 50 years, Duval Federated had amassed 250 members and has a highly structured format. A handful of the ladies wanted another option.
“Why don’t we branch out and create another group so we can have two sister clubs working on parallel tracks?” said Anderson. “So many of the larger counties have two, three federated clubs and they work together. It’s a partnership. I don’t thing our goals are different. We were both established for the purpose of electing Republicans, educating the public and community, promoting women. What may be different is the way we approach it.”
Seeking a smaller and more flexible environment, especially for working women, the club hopes that its new members will be enthusiastic, but without preconceived agendas. So far the club has established a budget, by-laws and formed 24 committees.
First Coast Federated plans to concentrate on grassroots and political campaigns, fundraising and other financing events, issue and policy forums and community outreach/education.Their objectives are designed to enhance the Republican presence in the community. Volunteers are also planning to work with programs such as Habitat for Humanity and Head Start.
Twenty members from Duval Federated followed Anderson to the new group.
“There is something attractive to some people about being in on the ground floor,” said Anderson. “Some members may have felt left out or wanted to share their ideas. You run the risk of alienation in a large group of any kind. I see, maybe in a year or two, another club forming. It’s conceivable that we would grow and grow but I don’t see us having the same issues. Now that First Coast has taken the step and shown that Duval County can support another club, then if someone feels they want to have a change for whatever reason, they can do it. I don’t see us having growing pains.”
Members include Mayor John Delaney’s mother, Duval County Young Republicans’ president Rachel Watkins and City Council president Matt Carlucci’s wife and mother. Second vice president Kim Stanford is John Stafford’s assistant at the Supervisor of Election’s Office; Nancy Surratt, directs the human resources department in Stafford’s office and Stafford’s wife, Betty, is treasurer.
A Republican since 1989, Anderson has immersed herself in fundraisers and campaigns for the last two presidential elections. She is the North Florida field director for the Republican Party of Florida and precinct captain for the Republican Party.
Considering Anderson’s political ties, her husband, workers compensation judge Wilbur Anderson, must go the extra mile not to appear biased toward any special interest groups.
“Wilbur is not supposed to be partisan at all,” she said. “Even on election day we have to be careful. I want to put 100 signs in the yard but we can’t.”
The club meets the first Thursday of each month at the Southpoint Marriott.