2025 Anne Roberts Scholarship
The Republican Club of the Palm Beaches’ Scholarship was named after a long-standing and active member of our Club, Anne Roberts.
Anne Roberts
Anne Roberts, a petite but strong and dedicated Republican, was born in Virginia in 1920. She lived and worked in Maryland until 1954, and then moved to Palm Beach County. Interestingly, this was the year after our Club was chartered.
While working as an R.N. for 50 year, she and her husband served on the REC. She was presented the Jean Pipes award by Palm Beach County Republican Party as an acknowledgment of her dedication to Republican principles. She never sought the limelight herself, working behind the scenes, continually letting others take credit. She always admonished us to “do the right thing”, make sure there’s education involved, mentor the young to follow in the right path, have fun, be prepared, and by all means, don’t lose money doing it!!! That is who Anne Roberts was!
In the late 80’s she had worked her way to 2nd Vice President of the Florida Federated Women. She was tasked with the “Entertainment”/Program for the NFRW National Convention held in Orlando on the 50th anniversary of the organization. She had the entire PB delegation, consisting of 6 Federated clubs, involved –even doing a “can-can” dance for one evening’s entertainment. What a “hoot” Anne was!
Her many committees remember her, not only for her great character and good judgment, but as the epitome of organization –always ready with even the tape, paper clips and scissors. She chaired a Lincoln Day Dinner in the 90’s, and true to who she was, read up on protocol for seating. She knew the value of research for allowing her to be sure everything ran smoothly—and many of us remember she knew how to delegate that research..
In 2005, Anne chaired the FFRW State Convention held in West Palm Beach. Despite a recent hurricane which cancelled the keynote speaker, she found a better one; and the show went on! If there were glitches, no one knew.
Anne left us before our club chartered with Republican Party of Florida. But, being a renaissance woman who realized that times change, I am sure she is smiling as we carry our Club’s Legacy onward. She would be very proud of the young folks who have received a scholarship in her name.
The Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship is available to any resident of Palm Beach County who is a full or part time undergraduate or graduate student seeking to further their education. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above and plan to attend an accredited college. Applicants must be registered (or pre-registered under 18 yrs. of age) Republicans. Current members of our Club may refer applicants for this scholarship. The deadline for this application is May 31. The recipient will be eligible to receive up to $500 to be sent to the school they will attend. Award will be presented at the monthly luncheon in June 2024.
RCPB Scholarship application 2025
Chairman Carl Cascio Looks Ahead
Our February speaker was Carl Cascio, Chairman and former general Counsel of the county GOP.
Carl laid out his goals which included unifying the party apparatus of the REC, turning the county red in that we can win county-wide elections, and taking advantage of the opportunities that all of President Trump’s activities present.
Listing the percentage of voters who are Republican (32.4%), Democrat (36.5%) and independent (31.1%), he described a voter registration drive aimed at converting the independents. The county continues to improve for Republicans every month, currently standing at D+4.1.
He sees the culture changing after the 2024 election, where it is now “cool” to wear the MAGA hat in public where it was once a dangerous practice. We must relate to people through our values.
On the Trump administration, he says “get ready” – we have only scratched the surface of what is to come. Trump is the world’s best counterpuncher in politics and he is not going to put up with the likes of Jamie Raskin and others on the left anymore. In Congress, Republicans are mostly on the same side and the few who try to gum up the works so far have not been able to stop the agenda or the confirmations.
Closer to home, Carl envisions a DOGE for Palm Beach County to focus on the County budget, which has become bloated and expensive, and he wants to “audit” the county books.
At the end of the meeting we also heard from State Committeewoman Jodi Schwartz who gave us a Tallahassee update and invited people to attend “Palm Beach County day”, party Vice-Chair Jason Kulp who spoke about Lincoln Day on April 11th, and Royal Palm Beach Vice-Mayor Selena Samios who is running for Mayor in the March 11th election.
Dorcas Hernandez, Bette Anne Starkey, GOP Chair Carl Cascio, former Chair Anita Mitchell, KC Caldwell, GOP Secretary Katina Maxwell
Sid Dinerstein Looks Ahead
Sid Dinerstein was our guest speaker at the 12/17 lunch.
Quote from Wayne Gretzky. “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”
“The Golden Age of Conservatism!” consists of a three legged tripod:
1. World Peace: Easy to achieve because Congress has the least to say on Global initiatives. Congress tends to align itself with the president’s International peace initiatives.
2. Republican Generation: Job one is election integrity. Elected officials number one priority must be election integrity for the next 20 years. There has been a history of voter fraud in the Democratic Party. For example, 13 of 19 states Kamala Harris won didn’t have to show Identification for voting.
3. American Prosperity: Rebuild the nuclear family. The father needs to play a larger role in the family nucleus.
Sid predicts: Lower interest rates, energy independence, giving up our subsidy for electric cars, etc.
In closing, Trump has to be shown as a successful president for the next 4 years. In doing so he paves the way for JD Vance. Since the VP debate, the country has liked JD Vance. It will be great to have 12 years of the same conservative Republican philosophy. JD Vance will follow Trump and then followed by another unnamed Republican President. Possibly, the first woman President and a Republican.
Club President Endorses Carl Casio for County Chairman
This is my personal endorsement!
I’m voting for Carl Casio because I want change.
In the past we have had disruptive and turbulent meetings.
We’ve had divided camps and personal self interest groups.
I believe that Carl will put an end to divisive conduct by any member.
If you are a member of the REC, please consider a vote for Carl Casio.
Kimberly Davis
President
Republican Club of the Palm Beaches
Click HERE for Carl’s Resume.
Sid Dinerstein at December Lunch on Tuesday, December 17th
Sid Dinerstein
Program Noon – 1PM, Buffet starts at 11:30AM
Cash Bar Available
Palm Beach Kennel Club – Paddock Restaurant
1111 N Congress Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
MAP
$28/Members $35/Guests
Pay at the door.
Make sure you submit your RSVP in advance by clicking on our link below:
Republican Club of the Palm Beaches
213 29th Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
(561) 855-0749
Committeewoman Jodi Schwartz at October Lunch
Our October meeting featured newly elected State Committeewoman Jodi Schwartz. A rising star in the PBC Republican party, supporting GOTV efforts and candidates at all levels for the last 5 years, Jodi won almost 25,000 votes (40%) in the August election in a county-wide race against two opponents, including a past Vice Chair and candidate in several House and Senate races. As Committeewoman, she will represent the county party to RPOF and connect local candidates with the movers and shakers in Tallahassee.
Jodi started with the various ways that members can help get our candidates elected on 11/5. At this point we are “past the point of persuasion” and focused on Get Out the Vote. Early voting has already started, and Republicans have done better this year in returning Vote by Mail ballots.
Some of her suggestions suggestions are:
- Sign up for a slot at one of the GOP tents at the early voting sites
- Wear a flag pin or Trump hat and talk it up in supermarket lines and other public places
- Sign wave at the Early Voting sites
- Sign up at the office to door knock and phone bank
- Bring friends and family to the polls
- VOTE EARLY!!
With a full list of our candidates, she urged support for them as well as our positions on the ballot amendments: NO on 3 (Marijuana) and 4 (Abortion), YES on the others, and NO on the sales tax surcharge. It looks good for our incumbents Peggy Gosset Seidman and Mike Caruso, and Meg Weinberger in the seat vacated by Rick Roth. We have the chance of a pickup in HD93 where Anne Gerwig is challenging incumbent Katherine Waldron.
We had asked her to say a few words about election integrity, and that clearly is on people’s minds as there were a lot of questions. She made a good case for the strengths of our checks and balances, and the improvements that have been made since Wendy Link was appointed Supervisor of Elections by Governor DeSantis.
State Committeewoman Jodi Schwartz to speak at October Meeting
State Committeewoman Jodi Schwartz
In particular, we asked Jodi to discuss:
- How members can help get us to the finish line
- The outlook for the various races and questions
- Election integrity and what RPOF and the local party is doing to provide oversight to the SOE processes
- The future of the party in PBC and Florida and how it would differ depending on who wins the federal races
Program Noon – 1PM, Buffet starts at 11:30AM
Cash Bar Available
Palm Beach Kennel Club – Paddock Restaurant
1111 N Congress Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
MAP
$28/Members $35/Guests
Pay at the door.
Make sure you submit your RSVP in advance by clicking on our link below:
Republican Club of the Palm Beaches
213 29th Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
(561) 855-0749
Jodi Schwartz has been a full time, very active, grassroots volunteer in Palm Beach County politics since January of 2020. She has worked on Congressional, State House, State Senate, County Commissioner, School Board, and City Council Campaigns. She has held leadership roles in the Republican Party of Palm Beach County as a Regional Director and Deputy Director of Election Operations. Jodi looks forward to taking her activism to the next level, representing you in the State Party.
Her story is similar to a lot of us in South Florida. She was born in Brooklyn, NY, and moved around the Northeast, from NY to Massachusetts, then to New Jersey to Connecticut, before moving to Boca in 2017. Jodi graduated from Northeastern University with a BS in Business with a concentration in Management Information Systems, and started her career as a Technical Recruiter and Corporate Trainer before leaving to raise a family. Married to Duane for 20 years, they have two children, Andrew (18) and Hannah (15).
PBCGOP Chairman with Election Preview
Our September meeting featured county GOP Chairman Kevin Neal.
Starting with a discussion of the six statewide amendments on the ballot, he focused in on the Marijuana proposal (Amendment 3) and some comments from Governor DeSantis at a recent event. If passed, this amendment will be a large economic boon to Trueleive, the company that runs most of the medical marijuana dispensaries in the state. Contrary to popular belief, this amendment (if passed) would not allow you to grow your own, nor would it open up the market to a lot of competition – instead it will provide a bunch of new customers for Trueleive, the company that is largely funding the drive to pass this amendment.
On amendment 4, what the Governor calls the “abortion until birth” amendment, it is interesting that the text does not use the term “physician” and implies that anyone could legally perform an abortion if passed.
Kevin pointed out that both of these amendments (3 and 4) are funded by George Soros.
On another topic, vote-by-mail (VBM), Kevin shared some interesting statistics. It is important to request a VBM ballot for a lot of reasons, but specifically those that receive one are 2-6 times MORE likely to vote in the election. Since Democrats typically outpace us by large numbers in VBM, the implications are clear. He also asked people to vote early, either with VBM or at early voting – the longer you wait, the more the candidates need to spend to push you to do so. Vote early and most of the political text, mail, emails and calls will stop.
Several county races are of particular interest. HD89, a D+13 open seat, is a potential pickup (although long shot) for Daniel Zapata. We also have a shot at Anne Gerwig defeating incumbent Katherine Waldron in D+6 HD93. R+3 HD91 (Peggy Gossett Seidman) and R+1 HD94 (open – Megan Weinberger) are tight and we need focus to hold on to these Republican seats. We also have a shot at SB5, also an R+1 open seat that Gloria Branch could win and end a several decade hold by the Dems.
Also at the meeting were candidates Michael Gauger (D+5 Sheriff), Page Lewis (R+17 SB1), and Ted Sarandis (D+9 Port of PB group 2).
PBCGOP Chairman Kevin Neal to Speak at September Meeting
County GOP Chairman Kevin Neal
Program Noon – 1PM, Buffet starts at 11:30AM
Cash Bar Available
Palm Beach Kennel Club – Paddock Restaurant
1111 N Congress Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
MAP
$28/Members $35/Guests
Pay at the door.
Make sure you submit your RSVP in advance by clicking on our link below:
Republican Club of the Palm Beaches
213 29th Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
(561) 855-0749
Kevin Neal is a populist, nationalist, America First Republican and currently serves as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County. Kevin’s primary goal is to get Republican candidates elected in Palm Beach County to municipal, county, state, and national offices. Kevin is also focused on recruiting new members for the Republican Executive Committee.
Kevin is the founder and CEO of Neal Development Company. He has almost 20 years of experience in design and real estate development and has developed projects totaling over 3,000 units and over one billion dollars. As a Real Estate Executive Kevin has led projects with teams made up of hundreds of people and budgets totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Kevin is also a trained Architect and he has designed and developed some of the most successful multi-family apartment projects in Florida. Kevin earned a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Masters in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Kevin and Laura live in Delray Beach with their twin sons.
RCPB School Board Candidate Forum
On July 23rd, the five School Board candidates from Districts one and five that are Republicans introduced themselves to our members. They are all on the ballot for the August 20th election.
We also used this meeting to award this year’s Anne Roberts Scholarship. See: Scholarship Winners.
From north county’s district one, which is mostly north of Northlake Blvd in Palm Beach Gardens we had Matt Lane and Page Lewis. From south county district five, which is mostly Boca Raton, we had Gloria Branch, Suzanne Page and Mike Letsky. (Left to right in the above photo.)
First up, Matt Lane went through his extensive list of endorsements and relevant experience as a public official (Palm Beach Gardens Council) and manager. His priorities include getting back to basics (reading, writing, math), not DEI and CRT. He would prioritize spending to hire and retain the best teachers, promote technical education, and insure the health and safety of the students.
Next was Page Lewis who listed some of her life experiences that have molded her worldview. She ran a restaurant, lived on an island, and has survived hurricanes. In order to fund her non-profit that teaches remedial reading in places like Belle Glade she started selling houses. She says she is in the race for the families and is not a politician.
Jumping down to district five, Gloria Branch listed her endorsements, the boards she has served on and her non-profits that she started. With a background in banking, she is a substitute teacher and like Matt would prioritize the basics in the curriculum.
Suzanne Page, a college professor with a doctorate in Economics, also has a background in banking. She would challenge the school district budget and asks where all that money really goes. In 2020 she ran for this seat against incumbent Frank Barbieri and achieved 40% of the vote. One aspect of the pandemic she mentioned was that as students worked from home, their parents got a look at what was going on in the classroom and didn’t always like what they saw.
Mike Letsky, an enterpreneur and engineer has kids in the district. He sees the schools system as a business and points out the problem of high teacher attrition. He would focus on school safety and the budget, and has filed a records request to examine the budget in detail. He notes that test scores are lower than pre-pandemic and thinks students should master basic math before using laptops for all their work. He would structure pay to encourage retention of experienced teachers.
After a short Q&A session in which all the candidates participated, we had our open mike session for other candidates.
At the end of the meeting, we heard from:
