Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at an annual Alachua County Republican Party fundraiser.
This year marks the 20th annual Ronald Reagan Black Tie and Blue Jeans BBQ event, held by the local Republican Party.
Past notable speakers include Dan Bongino, Candace Owens, Larry Elder and Tomi Lauren. The governor was previously scheduled to attend the event back in 2018 with Lauren, a controversial political commentator, but canceled to visit the state’s Panhandle, which was damaged by Hurricane Matthew.
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Local Republican Party chairman Ed Braddy, who is a candidate for the Alachua County Commission, said the group is “excited” and “very honored” for DeSantis to be this year’s keynote speaker. Braddy said that having an elected official rather than a political commentator as the keynote speaker is a change from previous years, but reflects interest in hearing DeSantis speak.
“The people who come to our event — that’s who they want to hear,” he said.
Since his scheduled 2018 visit, DeSantis won the gubernatorial race against Gainesville-raised Andrew Gillum. The governor has played a role in the makeup of some Alachua County offices by removing a School Board member from office and appointing a replacement. In June, he also appointed local Gainesville attorney Raemi Eagle-Glenn to the Alachua County Commission.
The dinner event will help race money for Republican candidates prior to the general election.
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The tentative date for the event is scheduled for Oct. 20 at the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center, located at 15400 Peggy Road in Alachua.
Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and VIP ticket holders will have access to the reception and speaker by 5 p.m. Dinner is scheduled to start around 5:30 p.m., with the event officially kicking off before 7 p.m.
For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit alachuarepublicans.com.