Florida

Governor Mitt Romney today announced the endorsement of former Secretary of State and former Mayor of Orlando Glenda Hood. She will serve as Co-Chair of his Florida Statewide Steering Committee and Chair of the Florida Municipal Elected Officials and Community Leaders Committee.

… “I am proud to support Governor Romney and will work hard to spread his fresh and optimistic vision for America to Floridians across the state,” said Glenda Hood. “He is the true conservative in this race, committed to strengthening our families, our military, our economy and our individual liberties. Our country is at a crossroads right now, and Governor Romney’s agenda of innovation and transformation is the right direction for America.”

State Representative Dick Kravitz Has Represented Parts Of Duval, Clay And St. Johns Counties Since 2000. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Economic Expansion and Infrastructure Council. As a former Chair of the House Criminal Justice Council, Kravitz has sponsored many bills to strengthen victims’ rights in the state, especially for children. Prior to his election to the House, he was a member of the Jacksonville City Council from 1987-1999 and served as the President in 1995. Kravitz is a former Chairman of the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council and the Duval County Tourist Development Council. Additionally, he serves on the Executive Committee of the Duval County Republican Party. Kravitz is currently an insurance agent and business consultant.

City Councilman Lake Ray Has Been The City Councilman For District 1 Since 1999. He is a native of Jacksonville and a graduate of the University in Florida. Ray is an engineer with Halcrow HPA. His community involvement includes the Parks and Recreation Board, Exchange Club, Greater Arlington Civic Council, Florida Engineering Society and the Boy Scouts. His focus as a city council member has been on combating crime, restoring decency and improving transportation, schools and the environment for the citizens of Jacksonville.

City Councilman Art Shad Was Elected To The Jacksonville City Council In July Of 2003. In recognition of his service, he received the 2004-2005 Charles D. Webb Award, the City Council’s most prestigious internal honor. Shad is a native of Jacksonville and veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Shad served in an elite reconnaissance unit and was decorated for service in Operation Desert Storm, receiving a Combat Promotion to Sergeant in Kuwait in 1991. Shad received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Florida. Currently, Shad is a Certified Financial Planner and First Vice President-Investments for Wachovia Securities, helping more than 400 families in Jacksonville meet their financial goals.

Ohio

Romney announced the beginning of his Ohio Finance Committee:

Carl H. Lindner, Jr. – Honorary Ohio Co-Chair And National Finance Co-Chair: Founder and Chairman of the Board of American Financial Group, Inc., Mr. Lindner is prominent in the Cincinnati area for both his political and civic giving.

S. Craig Lindner – Ohio Co-Chair: Co-President of American Financial Group, Inc. and President and CEO of Great American Financial Resources, Inc., Mr. Lindner is Chairman of the Board of The Craig and Frances Lindner Center of HOPE.

Nancy Heffner Donovan – Ohio Co-Chair: President of Ames Travel Service and Chairwoman of the Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts.

South Carolina

Romney adds three people in charge of Grassroots organizations:

Rick Adkins Is Chairman Of The Anderson County Republican Party. A real estate professional, Adkins is a veteran of South Carolina politics. He served as the 2002 County Chairman for Peeler for Governor, as the County Chairman for Bush-Cheney 2004 and as a delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention. He chairs the Anderson County Republican Party as well as the Anderson Interfaith Ministries. He is also a member of the State Board of Education. A graduate of Clemson University, he and his wife, Teresa, have three children.

Kathy Bigham Is A Businesswoman And Trustee Of Winthrop University In Rock Hill. A graduate of Winthrop University, Bigham is president of Thursdays Too restaurant in Rock Hill. A member of the Clinton Junior College Advisory Board, she has served on the Winthrop Eagle Club’s Board of Directors, the Wachovia Bank Advisory Board and Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. She has served as an executive committee member for the Carolinas Billy Graham Crusade, as co-chair for the Changing South Carolina to fight video poker, and as a member of the Bush for President South Carolina Steering Committee. She and her husband, Larry, have two children and three grandchildren.

Paul Thurmond Is An Attorney Who Serves On The Charleston County Council. A member of the County Council since 2007, Thurmond brings a fiscally conservative viewpoint to issues such as criminal justice, infrastructure improvement and planning for growth. A former Assistant Solicitor with the 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, he is a partner and shareholder at Thurmond Kirchner & Timbes, P.A. A graduate of the University of South Carolina Law School, he and his wife, Katie, have one son.


Mitt also added some new county chairs:

· Larry Courtney, Chesterfield County

· Betty Cox, Florence County

· Orey Middleton, Hampton County

· Kathy Stedman, Marion County

All of this is pulled from press releases that can be found here.