Solivita Republican Club Past Events

March 18, 2026 Meeting

Guest Speaker - Paul Renner - Candidate for Florida Governor

Paul Renner, a Republican 2026 primary candidate for Florida Governor, served as Speaker of the Florida House from 2022 to 2024. A U.S. Navy veteran of two wars, he served in Operation Desert Storm and Afghanistan. His legal background includes work as an Assistant State Attorney and over 25 years representing businesses and individuals in commercial law.

A Northeast Florida native, Renner earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida. First elected to the Florida House in 2015, he championed conservative reforms before being term-limited in 2024.

Following his legislative tenure, he served as a fellow at several academic institutions and was appointed by Governor DeSantis to the Board of Governors for Florida’s State University System. He resides in Palm Coast with his wife and two children.

As he runs to succeed Governor DeSantis, Renner has highlighted several core issues:

  • Affordability: Proposing a rollback of property taxes to 2024 levels and launching the "Florida First Affordability Plan" to reduce insurance, energy, and education costs.
  • Government Efficiency: Pledging to continue the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut spending at both state and local levels.
  • Anti-Corruption: Recently unveiling a legislative package targeting public sector self-dealing and insider trading.
  • Conservative Values: Defending legislative victories such as universal school choice, protecting girls' sports, and ending DEI and ESG initiatives in classrooms and banking.

Guest Speaker - Thomas Chalifaux - Candidate for Florida's 9th US Congressional District

Colonel (Ret.) Thomas Chalifoux is a 2026 Republican primary candidate for Florida's 9th Congressional District. He has a dual background as a highly decorated military leader and a successful entrepreneur, with a mission to bring "practical, results-driven leadership" to Washington.

Key Highlights

  • Military Service: Served 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Colonel. His career includes 29 service medals reflecting his leadership and commitment to national defense.
  • Business Experience: A self-described "multimillion-dollar entrepreneur" who has built and operated businesses in construction, real estate, water and sewer utilities, and ranching over the last 40 years.
  • Public Service: Previously served eight years on the Osceola County School Board (including time as Chair) and 23 years on the Kissimmee Board of Adjustment.
  • Community Involvement: A lifelong member of several veteran and civic organizations, including the Special Forces Association, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the All American Airborne Association.

2026 Campaign Priorities

Chalifoux’s platform centers on "conservative American values" and fiscal responsibility:

  • Fiscal Responsibility: Advocacy for a constitutional amendment for a balanced federal budget and cutting "wasteful spending".
  • Economic Policy: Support for lower income taxes, permanent elimination of the estate tax, and reducing capital gains taxes to spur investment.
  • National Security: Strong focus on energy independence ("Drill, baby, drill") and securing the U.S. border to curb illegal immigration.
  • Infrastructure & Veterans: Commitment to securing federal funding for traffic alleviation and improving healthcare and support for seniors and veterans.

He is expected to challenge incumbent Democrat Darren Soto in the general election if he wins the Republican primary scheduled for August 18, 2026.

  • Doors Open at 5:15 PM
  • Dinner at 5:45 PM
  • Starlite Ballroom
  • 384 Village Drive
  • Members $25 & Non-Members $35

    Menu 1: Three Salad Combo. A trio of homemade chicken salad, fresh tuna, and deviled egg salad served on a bed of shredded lettuce with sliced tomatoes and a crostino with choice of dressing, bottled water, and a fresh baked cookie for dessert.Pending:

    Menu 2: Black Forest Ham & Cheddar. Sliced black forest ham with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mustard aioli, served on wheat bread, potato chips, bottled water, and a fresh baked cookie for dessert.

    Menu 3: Turkey and Swiss BLT Wrap. Sliced roast turkey breast, crispy bacon, and Swiss cheese with lettuce and tomato wrapped in a spinach tortilla, potato chips, bottled water, and a fresh baked cookie for dessert.

    Ice Tea and Coffee Station

    Cash Bar

Member Forum - March 14 (9:00 - 11:00 am)

The Republican Club has scheduled member forums to discuss the state of our club today and what it can become as we move forward.

These smaller group meetings are intended for both newer members and long-standing members.

Topics for discussion include but are not limited to:

  • Meet the Board and Officers
  • Club Founding and History
  • Today and Beyond
  • Membership and its importance
  • New events and activities selection
  • Food and beverage selection and service

You can sign up for one of the following scheduled forums at the Republican Club dinner ticket sales table at Freedom Park.

Location: Baltic Room in Mediterranean Skyline. (2nd floor between the Bistro and the Library)

Western Caribbean Cruise Adventure - February 21 to 26, 2026

Download Flyer

Depart from Port Orlando. Enjoy 2 days at sea and visit Costa Maya and Cozumel Mexico.

Contact Jolaine Boasi (561-818-9229) or Carol Parlin (609-287-2012

January 21, 2026 Meeting

*** Notes/Minutes from the Meeting ***

Guest Speaker - Dennis Ross, Director of the American Center for Policital Leadership

The presentation by Dennis Ross will explore the impact on our Republic stemming from the midterm election's likely outcome. Key challenges influencing this outcome include the rapid growth of the Socialist movement in the Democratic Party and the corresponding expansion of Turning Point USA movement.

Dennis A. Ross, a Lakeland, Florida native, holds key roles as the Director of the American Center for Political Leadership (ACPL) at Southeastern University and as a distinguished professor of political science.

Ross graduated from Auburn University in 1981 and the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1987, subsequently joining the Florida and Washington DC Bar Associations. He practiced law at Holland & Knight, served as an attorney for Walt Disney World, and started his own successful law firm.

His extensive political career began with eight years in the Florida House of Representatives (2000-2008), where he chaired the Insurance Committee. He was subsequently elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Florida’s 15th Congressional District for two terms (2010-2018). In Congress, he held positions on the Financial Services Committee and chaired the Subcommittee on the Federal Work Force and United States Postal Service.

After retiring from Congress in 2019, Ross dedicated his efforts at Southeastern University to the ACPL's mission of promoting civil discourse and civic engagement. He is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator, serves on several boards, and was recently inducted into the Florida Workers’ Compensation Hall of Fame. He is married to Cindy Hartley Ross; they have two sons and two grandchildren

  • Doors Open at 5:15 PM
  • Dinner at 5:45 PM
  • Starlite Ballroom
  • 384 Village Drive
  • Members $27 & Non-Members $32

    Deep South Dinner Menu:

  • Pulled Port on a Warm Bun or Pulled Chicken on a Warm Bun
  • Cornbread
  • Baked Beans, Cole Slaw
  • Dessert
  • Water, Ice Tea and Coffee Station
  • Cash Bar

Charlie Kirk Candlelight Prayer Vigil

Saturday, September 20, 2025, 6 - 8 PM

Tent at Freedom Park

Please come and share a Prayer and remembrance of Charlie Kirk

Member Forum - December 13 (9:00 - 11:00 am)

The Republican Club has scheduled member forums to discuss the state of our club today and what it can become as we move forward.

These smaller group meetings are intended for both newer members and long-standing members.

Topics for discussion include but are not limited to:

  • Meet the Board and Officers
  • Club Founding and History
  • Today and Beyond
  • Membership and its importance
  • New events and activities selection
  • Food and beverage selection and service

You can sign up for one of the following scheduled forums at the Republican Club dinner ticket sales table at Freedom Park on Sept. 5 & 8, from 10 am. to 12 pm.

Location: Baltic Room in Mediterranean Skyline. (2nd floor between the Bistro and the Library)

September 17th Meeting

Information Pending - Print Flyer - Members $26 and Non-members $36

Guest Speakers

  • Jim Guth - Retired Navy Captain and Former Polk County GOP Chairman
  • Omar Arroyo, District 4 Polk County Commissioner Candidate
  • Sarah Corona, Polk County District 3 School Board Candidate
  • Doors Open at 5:15 PM
  • Dinner at 5:45 PM
  • Starlite Ballroom
  • 384 Village Drive

Dinner Menu

  • Chicken Salad on a Croissant or Turkey/Backon Wrap or Vegan Choice
  • Dessert: Ince Cream Sandwich
  • Water, Ice Tea and Coffee Station
  • Cash Bar

Sheriff Grady Judd

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Starlite Ballroom

Doors Open at 4:30

Sheriff Grady Judd 5:30 to 6:15 P.M. - Video

Short Member Meeting Follows

Sheriff Grady Judd

Sheriff Grady Judd Information

Grady Judd began his career at the Polk County Sheriff ’s Office (Florida) in 1972 as a dispatcher. After transferring to the Patrol Division in 1974, he quickly progressed through the ranks – holding every rank from Sergeant to Colonel. Polk County overwhelmingly elected Grady to serve as Sheriff in 2004.

Sheriff Judd has earned higher education degrees through the Masters level – having obtained both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Rollins College. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, and the FBI National Executive Institute. He was a participant of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) Law Enforcement Exchange Program (LEEP).

Sheriff Judd has taught as an adjunct professor at both the University of South Florida and Florida Southern College. He is a Polk County School Board Hall of Fame inductee, a past recipient of Polk State College’s prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2008 Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, Protect Our Children Junny Award, the 2013 Callyo’s Leaders in Online Child Protection Award, as well as the 2013 Church Women United Human Rights Award. He is a past President of the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Major County Sheriffs of America, a national organization serving counties with a population of 500,000 or more.

Grady has been married to Marisa since 1972, and they have two adult sons and 13 grandchildren.

Washington DC Oct 2025

Cancelled

Download Flyer - Itinerary

  • Day One - Depart Friday, October 3, 2025 with overnight in Savannah, GA
  • Day Two - Saturday, October 4, 2025. Travel with overnight in Colonial Heights, VA
  • Day Three - Sunday, October 5, 2025. See itinerary.
  • Day Four - Monday, October 6, 2025. See itinerary.
  • Day Five - Tuesday, October 7, 2025. See itinerary
  • Day Six - Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Travel with overnig Ripley Point, SC.
  • Day Seven - Thursday, October 9, 2025. Return Home

Contact Jolaine Boasi (561-818-9229)

Member Forum - September 13 (9:00 - 11:00 am)

The Republican Club has scheduled member forums to discuss the state of our club today and what it can become as we move forward.

These smaller group meetings are intended for both newer members and long-standing members.

Topics for discussion include but are not limited to:

  • Meet the Board and Officers
  • Club Founding and History
  • Today and Beyond
  • Membership and its importance
  • New events and activities selection
  • Food and beverage selection and service

You can sign up for one of the following scheduled forums at the Republican Club dinner ticket sales table at Freedom Park on Sept. 5 & 8, from 10 am. to 12 pm.

Location: Baltic Room in Mediterranean Skyline. (2nd floor between the Bistro and the Library)

Byron Donalds

Candidate for Governor of Florida

August 20, 2025

Doors Open at 5:00 and Presentation Starts at 6:00

No Dinner

Byron Donaldson

Byron Donalds Congressional Website

Byron Donalds grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and he is also the proud son of a hardworking and loving single mother. His mother dedicated her time instilling in him that greatness requires sacrifice, which drives him as a devoted family man and United States Congressman.

Byron is a graduate of Florida State University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance and marketing. Byron's career led him to Southwest Florida, where he worked in the banking, finance, and insurance industries. Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016, Byron represented Hendry County and east Collier County in the State Capitol. During his tenure in the Florida House, Byron served as the PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee Chair during the 2018-2019 Legislative Session and served as the Insurance & Banking Subcommittee's Chairman 2019-2020 Legislative Session. While serving in the Florida House, primarily focused on elder affairs, criminal justice reform, and ensuring that each child has access to a world-class education.

Byron is committed to serving and giving back to the community that gave him so much. He has served Southwest Florida in many ways, including previously serving on the Board of Trustees for Florida Southwestern State College after being appointed by then-Governor Rick Scott. Byron continues to volunteer in his church as a youth leader and a mentor. He also enjoys volunteering as a coach in youth football and basketball leagues.

Congressman Byron Donalds lives in Naples, Florida, with his wife, Erika, and their three sons: Damon, Darin, and Mason. Byron has spent his entire adult life serving others, whether it be through volunteering, business, or leadership. He is committed to representing Florida's 19th Congressional District's conservative values in Washington DC to ensure a stronger Florida and a stronger nation.

July 16th Meeting

Information - Print Flyer - Members $26 and Non-members $36

Guest Speakers

  • Wilton Simpson, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture
  • Omar Arroyo, District 4 Polk County Commissioner Candidate
  • Sarah Corona, Polk County District 3 School Board Candidate
  • Jim Guth, Retired Navy Captain and Former Polk County GOP Chairman
  • Doors Open at 5:15 PM
  • Dinner at 5:45 PM
  • Starlite Ballroom
  • 384 Village Drive

Dinner Menu

  • Summer Salad Bar including Grilled Chicken or Shrimp, Romaine Lettuce, Beets, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Shredded Carrots, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Black Olives, Red Onion, Diced Egg, Crumbled Bacon and Croutons
  • Hot Rolls and Butter
  • Dessert: Ice Cream Sandwich
  • Water, Ice Tea and Coffee Station
  • Cash Bar