Crist keynotes Holmes County Reagan Day Dinner

BONIFAY – It was a treat for Holmes County Republicans as Gov. Charlie Crist was keynote speaker at the annual Reagan Day Dinner at the Holmes County Farm Center. The event was a fundraiser for the Holmes County Republican Party.

Crist noted the story of how when he was an aide to Connie Mack when Mack was running against Buddy McKay for the U.S. Senate in 1988 that when it looked grim for his candidate that the votes from the Panhandle began coming in and turned the tide.

“And Holmes County led the way,” Crist said.

More coverage under photo galleries

The governor said the Republican Party had an excellent opportunity to gain state and federal elected offices in 2010 and 2012, based on the way the Democrats were governing in Washington, D.C.

“We have a chance to win every race in 2010,” Crist said.

Crist urged the party faithful present to support the Republican creed of lower taxes and less government. He pointed out local business people Joe and Lori Jernigan of Jernigan Forest Products, LLC, as an example of what free enterprise can do for the country.

“They employ 15 people and that’s 15 families that they make life a little bit better for,” he said.

“We get caught up in stuff and what matters is what we have tonight – great families and a great party.”

Crist was joined as a speaker by State Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer, State Rep. Brad Drake and State Rep. Marti Coley. Greer added to Crist’s message that the GOP is the party of “less government, lower taxes and self responsibility.” Greer also denigrated efforts by opponents to show a divided GOP

“The only successful strategy the Democrats have over the next 12 months is to divide the Republican Party,” he said.