Those were the exact words of FL Congressman Byron Donalds, also FL Candidate for Governor, when he spoke to a cheering crowd Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Charlotte County Republican Executive Committee fundraiser dinner at the Greek Orthodox Church in Punta Gorda.
Arriving straight from Washington D.C. where Congressman Byron Donalds and his patriotic colleagues had just sent back, what Donalds referred to as a garbage bill, to the Senate the bill that would defund ICE and Border Patrol, the Congressman opened his approximately 45-minute speech with praising words for President Trump when he said, “We have witnessed in Washington DC is a couple of things. We have seen tremendous leadership and focus and energy and drive from the Commander-in-Chief Donald J. Trump.”
Complimenting many of the men and women on Capitol Hill, he said, “There are a lot of members on the Hill, the House and Senate Republicans, who are fighting hard every single day.” Donalds spoke of the tireless fight for keep the United States of America a free country and the need to continue to fight for the great state of Florida, which he referred to as “the crown jewel of the United States of America” and as a leader, a role model, for all the other states in the union.
A brilliant speech, powerful, energetic, uplifting, and patriotic, between the speech delivered by FL CFO Blaise Ingoglia and Congressman Byron Donalds, the cheers and excitement probably raised the roof about five feet.
FL CFO Blaise Ingoglia delivered a powerful and straightforward speech.
This event is the kick-start of a brand-new chapter in the history of Charlotte County Republican Executive Committee, and we are so happy and proud of it.
Thank you to all the guests for your support and donations.
FL State Rep Danny Nix, Jr. with Punta Gorda City Mayor Debbie Lux
As the Secretary of the Charlotte County Republican Executive Committee, and on behalf of Chairman David Kalin, Sr., Vice-Chairman David Kesselring, Treasurer Bill Page, State Committeewoman Kat Pellegrino, and State Committeeman John Bothwell, we would like to take the opportunity to say that it was a fabulous and successful evening yesterday at the Charlotte County Republican Executive Committee Gala held at the beautiful Greek Orthodox Church.
Truly, our main speaker and Candidate for FL Governor Byron Donalds delivered an informative and powerful speech about positioning Florida as the unwavering leading example that we already are for the nation, the greatest state in the country. We need people like him to lead our great state of Florida. Thank you for your long track record of service already in leadership, being a great inspiration, and telling things the way they are, no filter.
Standing ovation to Congressman Byron Donalds
Thank you to Mayor of Punta Gorda, Debbie Lux, for delivering a beautiful introduction to Byron Donalds and for everything you do for the City of Punta Gorda. Keep it up!
Thank you to FL CFO Blaise Ingoglia for delivering a powerful speech, one that raised the roof, about Florida’s future. Standing ovation to Blaise Ingoglia too
Thank you to our amazing CCREC Chairman David Kalin, Sr. for his leadership and professionalism leading our REC We greatly appreciate you.
Thank you to Tom Vail for being our MC for this event. Your work is much respected .
Thank you to FL State Committeewoman Kat Pellegrino for your hard work putting this event together with us. This lady is never afraid to roll up her sleeves
FL Congressman Byron Donalds and CCREC Secretary Karina Schmitt
Thank you to Gayla Blanton Lees for leading us in the event planning, your organization skills, and beautiful decorations. And to your photographer Justin.
Thank you to Treasurer Bill Page for keeping meticulous track of the financial aspects of this event.
Thank you to Chaplain Jane Carroll for your wonderful invocations that your always provide. You’re such a star and an inspiration to everyone.
Thank to Mission BBQ for catering a delicious meal, which we received many warm compliments on
Thank you to Candidate for reelection Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch and to Candidate for Commissioner John Fleming for supporting this event and for running for office.
Thank you to the all Republican clubs for promoting the event and helping with ticket and sponsored table sales.
A great hand to Domine Clemons for singing the Nation Anthem so beautifully as we opened the Gala. What an incredible voice she has. Wow!
Also thank you to our Platinum table sponsors:
Steven Leskovich and Leskovich Law Group, P.A., who is running for FL Attorney General.
Thank you to our Gold table sponsors:
Kalin’s Farm Market and Feed Supply in Punta Gorda.
Charlotte DeSoto Republican Club.
Congressman Greg Steube’s Office.
FL State Representative Danny Nix.
The Vrabel Family.
The Republican Liberty Caucus of FL
And to our Silver table Sponsors:
Charlotte County Trump Club.
The Osprey Family.
The Beasley Family.
Thank you to everyone who shared the event with their network and on social media.
And lastly, thank you to all the great people attending this event for being fantastic team players who worked the event until the very end, helping with the clean-up too, until the very last napkin was picked up. You know you can count on people when they stay to help clean up after all the guests have left. You guys are rock stars and much appreciated.
