Seminole Republican Women, Federated

You see their ads on TV, scroll past their messages on social media and in your emails, and every time you open your mailbox, you’re sorting through a stack of political campaign mailers from local candidates. But how do you really know the men and women for whom you’re about to vote? How do you truly know what they stand for and how they will represent you and the community? Candidates who become elected officials and make decisions that can have profound effects on your daily lives are worth the investment of your time.  

Consistent opportunities to meet, get to know, and build relationships with candidates and elected officials can be hard to come by. The new Seminole Republican Women, Federated is creating those opportunities, and it may be the organization for you if you are looking to get involved and enjoy learning about local and national issues.

Seminole Republican Women, Federated was chartered in July 2021 and is a local chapter of the Florida Federation of Republican Women (FFRW.net) and part of the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW.org) that was founded in 1938. There are 1,200 chapters nationwide and roughly 50 in Florida. The growing population and political interests of our community created a distinct need for a Republican women’s group on the east side of Seminole County, and Seminole native Joy Ashlock decided to meet that need head-on.

Joy is the president of Seminole Republican Women, Federated and explains that the group’s primary objectives are to educate and inform the electorate and work to get Republicans elected while promoting conservative principles and values.

“Voting is not enough,” says Joy. “It’s the voter’s responsibility to become educated about important local, state, and national issues. Voters really should think in terms of conducting a job interview and truly learn everything possible about the person they are considering hiring. We’re sending them to do a very specific job for us and make decisions on our behalf that directly impact our family, finances, and every aspect of our lives. Hoping for the best is not an option. We should all be well informed and intimately familiar with the candidates before we choose them to represent us. They work for us, so become an active participant in the hiring process!”

Every monthly meeting of Seminole Republican Women, Federated features speakers that have included elected officials giving county updates, information on elections, details on how the GOP (Grand Old Party) operates, and other local leaders who focus on issues like the opioid epidemic and border security, human trafficking, and government over-reach. Even though the group is only a year old, it has already become the go-to destination for candidates and voters alike – candidates looking to connect with an influential bloc of constituents and seeking volunteers to help with campaigns, and voters looking to get involved and be a part of the process to make a difference. At the end of every meeting, the club hosts Candidates Corner, a chance for each attending candidate to address the crowd for two minutes.

August 10 is the group’s first meeting after returning from summer break and will feature a forum for Republican candidates for Congressional District 7, which covers all of Seminole and much of Volusia County. Meetings are open to registered Republicans who RSVP at SeminoleRepublicanWomen.org. The cost for members is $35, non-members are $45, candidates and their team members can attend for $25, and students are only $20.

Every meeting includes dinner catered by Dominick’s Italian Restaurant and a cash bar. Expect a litany of candidates to attend in August because the primary election is on August 23. Even more exciting meetings and events will be happening in September and October as Election Day approaches, so be sure to sign up on the Seminole Republican Women, Federated website to receive meeting announcements.

Seminole Republican Women, Federated is a welcoming group and one that is eager to meet you and help you get involved with the Republican Party. 

To learn more about Seminole Republican Women, Federated, visit SeminoleRepublicanWomen.org.