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Miami-Dade GOP REC: A Holy Thursday Showdown Exposes Deep Party Divisions, Offers Glimmers of Progress 

Last night’s Miami-Dade Republican Executive Committee (REC) meeting—held on Holy Thursday during one of the most important weeks for both Christians and Jews—delivered a microcosm of the party’s internal friction and fiscal strains while also hinting at organizational growth and overdue transparency.  Kevin Cabrera’s recent departure to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Panama has set off a scramble to fill the influential State Committeeman post.  The contest drew three candidates: Miami-Dade District 11 Committeeman Douglas Ross, County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez, and State Representative Juan Carlos Porras.  However, the meeting quickly became a case study in the Miami GOP’s procedural struggles and factional divides. 

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Here’s an inside look at the night’s key moments and takeaways: 

Meeting Disorder and Procedural Lapses 

• Under Chairman Kevin Cooper, the REC’s struggle with basic parliamentary procedure was on full display.  The meeting started and ended abruptly, with little regard for Robert’s Rules of Order; the designated parliamentarian—Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia’s son-in-law—remained passive throughout, failing to interject even as the meeting veered off track. 

• Motions were introduced chaotically, including successful efforts to hold elections for additional District Committeeman and Committeewoman positions. 

• A glaring procedural failure: no prior meeting minutes were presented or voted upon, a standard practice in any functioning committee.  Secretary Abel Carvajal could not produce any record of minutes for approval despite it being the third meeting of Cooper’s tenure. 

• Additionally, REC membership data is still unavailable to the REC rank and file  per Florida Statutes. 

District 38 Drama 

• The meeting’s most contentious episode involved Committeewoman-elect Carmen Sotomayor, who was denied her seat due to a missing Republican loyalty oath—a document she claimed to have submitted to the previous Chair, State Representative Alexander Rizo.  In a last-minute twist, Rizo faxed the supposedly “lost” oath to REC headquarters just an hour before the meeting. 

• A heated debate erupted between Secretary Abel Carvajal and Chairman Cooper over whether Sotomayor should be seated or a new election was warranted—behavior that was highly out of character for Secretary Carvajal. 

• In the ensuing vote, Sotomayor lost to Josefina (last name pending), who was openly backed by Secretary Carvajal and claimed ties to Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia.  This overt intra-party politicking highlighted the power of alliance and patronage within the REC. 

Party Finances: Transparency at Last? 

Amidst the disorder, there was a positive breakthrough: for the first time in three years, the REC Treasurer’s Report included specific financial details.  Treasurer Stephanie Torres, backed by Chairman Cooper, shared that the recent Sarah Palin event grossed $20,000 and netted $12,000 for party coffers with 400 attendees.  Additional facts revealed were that the current REC office spaces were a massive drain on Committee finances, coming in at over $10,000 for the first quarter alone.  The Treasurer’s report also revealed that the REC leased office space owner is SOR Investments (Inc.), per SUNBIZ managed by none other than one Roberto O. Ros.  It is no wonder Chairman Cooper is desperately seeking DOGE for the REC. 

• Despite this infusion, a broader fiscal problem remains.  As Doug Ross pointed out during his campaign speech, the party’s funds are largely consumed by the high costs of maintaining headquarters and administrative expenses.  This financial drain leaves little to no support for the hundreds of Republican candidates competing across Miami-Dade’s many municipalities—a continuing sore point for the GOP’s local ambitions. 

Organizational Growth and Demographic Shifts 

• On a brighter note, the REC welcomed around 20 new committeemen and women, expanding party ranks at a pivotal moment. 

• While promising, this influx of fresh members also deepens the need for improved organization and consistent application of rules as the party grows. 

The State Committeeman Race: Results and Reflections 

• Porras’ narrow victory reflected his personal appeal and deep rifts within the party.  His reluctance to discuss his involvement in recent legislative squabbles—where he was seen as undermining Governor DeSantis—was not lost on observers. 

• Fernandez’s faction emphasized increased fundraising and party spending, in contrast to calls for budget tightening and organizational efficiency. 

• Calls for party unity were met with mixed reception, as repeated public infighting contradicts the discipline seen among Miami-Dade Democrats. 

Final Thoughts 

The Miami-Dade REC’s Holy Thursday meeting was a study in both dysfunction and determination.  While long-standing issues of transparency, rule-following, and internal rivalries persist, the night also showcased new engagement and fitful steps toward transparency.  Financial disclosure, a fresh cohort of committee members, and contentious but passionate debate hinted at the party’s underlying vitality.  Still, unless order and unity can be restored, the Miami GOP may find its growing numbers and fundraising haul insufficient to meet the demands of an expansive and competitive political landscape. 

“Money is the mother’s milk of politics,” goes the adage, but in Miami-Dade’s Republican committee, the challenge remains: can the party turn internal energy into unified action—and real support for the hundreds of local candidates it counts on to keep Miami-Dade red? 

Reporting contributed from the floor of the Miami-Dade REC’s Holy Thursday meeting.  For official figures and additional details, refer to public FEC filings and REC leadership statements.