The Federated Republican Women of North Dade (FRWND) hosted a Republican unity picnic at Tropical Park Sunday, which included a meet and greet with local candidates.
Attendees, wearing a sea of red, white and blue clothing with the occasional “Trump 2020” hat, regularly chanted for “four more years” of President Donald Trump.
“This is what democracy looks like,” said FRWND President Maricel Cobitz, kicking off the event and receiving cheers from the crowd in return.
A number of Republican candidates presented their campaign messages at the event. This included Raymond Molina, one of seven candidates vying for the GOP nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in District 27.
A member of the 2506 Assault Brigade’s Fifth Battalion and a veteran of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, Molina said he wanted to create more vocational schools. This would “give the untrained citizens” the capability to improve their incomes.
Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban “Steve” Bovo, who is running for county mayor, also made an appearance. He encouraged the public to vote. He is one of the six candidates running for the position.
“We need this same energy in August,” said Bovo, referring to the Aug. 18 election.
Republican clubs also attended the event and answered questions about the campaigns. Voting was a big theme.
“We need them to go out and vote,” said Anamary Rodriguez, a member of the West End GOP. “It’s not 100 percent until the last day of the voting.”
Florida’s presidential primary is March 17, though that date is of lesser importance to local Republicans as Trump has effectively fended off any challengers for the nomination. However, the second primary of the year, Aug. 18, will be when the GOP and Democrats choose their nominees for U.S Congress, the state House of Representatives and state Senate, among other positions.
