TEAM MCCAIN ANNOUNCES FLORIDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE
McCain's Exploratory Committee Adds Leading Florida Republicans
ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee today announced that five influential Florida Republicans and political operatives will make up its Florida advisory committee.
The advisory committee will include former Florida Attorney General Jim Smith, immediate past Florida Republican Party Vice Chairman J. Allison DeFoor, former chief-of-staff to Governor Bob Martinez and senior advisor to Jeb Bush's 1994 campaign for Governor, John "Mac" Stipanovich, former Chairman of Governor Jeb Bush's Council of Economic Advisors J. Antonio Villamil, and Cory Tilley, a top public relations adviser and who was deputy chief of staff to former Governor Jeb Bush.
The committee members will use their combined years of experience and understanding of Florida's political landscape to provide strategic guidance and leadership to Senator McCain's exploratory committee in the state.
The Honorable Jim Smith served as Florida's Attorney General from 1979 to 1987, as well as serving two separate times as Florida's Secretary of State.
"Senator John McCain has the right brand of experience and leadership for Florida," said DeFoor. "Senator McCain has dedicated his life to the principles that Republicans know are critical to keeping our country safe."
John "Mac" Stipanovich served as the executive director of President Ronald Reagan's successful Florida re-election campaign in 1984.
"John McCain is a man whose physical courage and dedication to his country was demonstrated in war and whose moral courage and conservative principles have been proven in peace. He is the kind of leader America must have now," said Stipanovich.
"It is an honor to join a leader who is willing to stand up and fight against the misuse and waste of taxpayer dollars," said Villamil. "Senator McCain is a proven fiscal conservative."
"Senator John McCain's common sense conservative values are just right for our state," said Tilley. "Florida Republicans know and understand that Senator McCain has spent a lifetime dedicated to his core principles of service and honor."
Senator John McCain stated that he was pleased with the addition of these highly regarded Florida Republicans. "I'm extremely proud to be joined by such highly regarded and respected Florida leaders," Senator McCain said. "They will be a valuable part of our team and I look forward to working with them."
