Campaign ads have appeared lately for a state committeeman position in Monroe County, with Casey Scheu challenging Stephen Hammond for the job and prompting the Keys Weekly to ask, “What is a state committeeman and what does he do?”
The position exists within the Republican Executive Committee in Monroe County and is elected by members of the Republican Party.
“The Republican Executive Committee (REC) is the governing body of the Republican Party of Monroe County. The REC is composed of elected representatives from the several precincts in Monroe County. The REC works with the three Keys Republican Clubs to support Republican candidates and promote the Republican Party throughout Monroe County,” states the party’s website for Monroe County.
The executive committee also includes a state committeewoman. Kathy Ovide is the party’s committeewoman in Monroe County. She was re-elected last year to a second four-year term without opposition.
“We attend meetings, and if there’s any business to discuss within our congressional district caucus, we’ll tackle those issues and questions,” Ovide said, adding that the committeeman and committeewoman are volunteer positions, aside from a $250 stipend for travel and meetings.
A similar position exists within the Democratic Party, but is selected from within the executive committee and not by the entire party.
“The committeeman position has to be elected during the primary for the Republican Party,” Ovide said, adding that Hammond has served as committeeman for the past five or six years. “Casey Scheu decided to challenge him this year.”
“The state committeeman is the field marshal for the Republican Party in Monroe,” Scheu writes on his campaign website. “As Committeeman, I will organize our 33 precincts, unite our voice, and make certain Republicans have a seat at the table in Monroe County.”
Hammond is a Key West Realtor who has served in the position of committeeman since 2016.
