Erin Skipper, Tanya Kacsan and Helana Cormier are running to be the Clay County Republican Party State Committeewoman. Clay Today asked all three the same two questions. Here are their responses:

Erin Skipper

What makes you uniquely qualified to be a State Committeewoman?

“The past two years I have been able to travel across the state of Florida representing Clay County as an endorsed School Board candidate of Governor Ron DeSantis, but also as a school board member. I have built relationships with those within the RPOF (Republican Party of Florida), but also our community leaders and elected officials. Relationships are key to holding a successful term as State Committeewoman. I represented Clay County as an alternate delegate at the RNC (Republican National Convention) in Milwaukee this summer. I have been serving as Vice deputy Treasurer for our Republican Party here in Clay County the past year. I work and I work hard to keep Clay red.”

What are the biggest challenges, especially here in Clay County?

“I think some of our biggest challenges here in Clay County is involvement and messaging. We need more people to get in the fight to save our Country. Educating our voters is key.”

Tanya Kacsan

What makes you uniquely qualified to be a State Committeewoman?

“I am uniquely qualified to be your Republican State Committeewoman due to my comprehensive preparation and active engagement with the RPOF. Over the past 18 months, I have had the privilege of shadowing and receiving direct training from the current state committeewoman, equipping me with valuable insights and skills for this role. I have established strong relationships with party members and possess extensive volunteer experience at the grassroots level, contributing to Republican victories across local, state, and federal elections. As the Chapter Chair of Moms for Liberty Clay County, I have effectively represented parents’ voices and advocated for critical issues at both the state and federal levels. My hands-on experience, combined with my proven track record in grassroots mobilization and advocacy, equips me to serve effectively as your Republican State Committeewoman.”

What are the biggest challenges, especially here in Clay County?   

“Clay County’s rapid growth presents both significant opportunities and challenges for maintaining our Republican values. With my experience as a Precinct Committeewoman in voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts, I’ve seen firsthand the crucial role these activities play. To keep Clay County RED, we must actively register new residents as Republican voters and work to increase turnout, particularly since primary voter participation has historically been just over 25%. Expanding our volunteer base is essential to enhance our outreach and get-out-the-vote efforts. Moreover, we need to build a robust bench of strong conservative candidates, ensuring they receive the training and support necessary to be effective leaders. By addressing these areas, we can better navigate the county’s growth and ensure our Republican values are upheld and strengthened.”

Helana Cormier

What makes you uniquely qualified to be a State Committeewoman?

“Helana Cormier believes she is uniquely qualified to be the Republican State Committeewoman for Clay County because of the way God has worked in her life. She has a servant’s heart, deep love and appreciation for our county, and she is extremely knowledgeable about the strategic collaboration among our county leaders. She serves and volunteers in different areas within our county. Helana has the time and passion needed to be dedicated to this non-paid position. She realizes having a voice and a vote at the quarterly RPOF  is priceless. If Helana is elected as the RSC, then the Republican Executive Committee REC could be represented at all the organizations and events she attends. Please follow Helana Cormier on Facebook and read the post from May 28. She shared how God worked in her life. By the grace of God through Jesus Christ and the impact of Clay County, Helana is called to serve and equipped to lead. Her life verse is Jer. 29:11-13. Helana Cormier covets your prayers, support and vote.”

What are the biggest challenges, especially here in Clay County?

“Helana loves the Lord and loves people. Her passion is demonstrated through her actions. She believes some of our biggest challenges are having enough volunteers supporting the Republican efforts, growth in our county and areas that have turned democratic. She advocates first for unity among the Republican Party. She believes we must be praying and putting on the Spiritual Armor of God; our fight is not against flesh and blood but evil and principalities (Ephesians 6:11-20). The second area is registering our current residents, new families moving to Clay County and our youth becoming 18 years old, as Republican; engaging and empowering our community is imperative to keep our Christian conservative values. If we cannot get the first area of concern right, then we will struggle with the second. The third idea is to continue the collaboration among our community leaders, elected officials, business partners, nonprofit organizations, our churches, our families, and other state committeemen and committeewomen. When we share our effective strategies with other counties then we help Florida stay stronger together and remove some of these challenges.”