On Oct. 23, the Republican Party of Sumter County hosted the 35th Annual Sumter County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Savannah Center. John Temple, the chairman of the Sumter County Republican Executive Committee, gave out welcome remarks and began the program.
Senator Dennis Baxley introduced the keynote speaker of the evening, Wilton Simpson, the president of the Florida Senate. Simpson listed off many positives about the state of Florida, including its education system.
“We have the best k-12 system in the country, and we have the number one college and university system in the country,” Simpson stated.
While Simpson is the current president of the Florida Senate, he plans to be a candidate for the Florida Agriculture Commissioners.
“If you don’t like what I’ve been doing, you only have to put up with me for one more year,” Simpson said, regarding the people who don’t feel he has been doing a good job.
Following Simpson’s speech and two videos from Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, Doug Gilpin, the executive of T&D Family of Companies and member of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners, recognized six local high school seniors and awarded them each a $500 scholarship.
Dr. Gary Lester also presented the Michael Francis Award to Steve Munz in recognition of all his deeds in the Sumter County community.
Temple ended the night with a round of applause for our veterans, and with a closing remark.
“We are open to anyone who supports the American dream. All we ask is that you do it the right way. The legal way.”
– Written by Gazette News Editor, Emily Baker