WC Republican Club’s Charter Not Renewed By Republican Party Of Pasco — What’s Next? 

(l-r) Pasco REC chair & vice chair Troy Stevenson & Walter Price and Pasco Republican Committeeman Shawn Foster. 


Jim Cracchiolo has been the president of the Wesley Chapel Republlican Club (WCRC) since its founding a decade ago. During the last few years, Cracchiolo’s son Peter has been lining up guest speakers for the club’s meetings that have included many of the heaviest Republican hitters in the county and state. Peter currently is serving as the club’s vice president. 

There’s only one problem — as of May 13, the WCRC no longer has a charter/stamp of approval from the Republican Party of Pasco’s Executive Committee (Pasco REC). 

Individual Pasco Republican clubs, like the WCRC, which provide support for their party — which has dominated Pasco’s political elections for decades — have to renew their charters with the Pasco REC every year. 

So, why was the WCRC’s charter not renewed? Cracchiolo, Pasco County’’s publicly elected Republican State Committeeman Shawn Foster and Pasco REC chair Troy Stevenson all agree that the reason the club’s charter was not renewed this year was because Peter Cracchiolo volunteered and/or worked for former Hillsborough State Attorney and 2024 Democratic candidate to win his job back Andrew Warren (who was removed from office by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis) and District 1 School Board member Nadia Combs, a known Democrat whom DeSantis sought to replace with known conservative Republican Layla Collins (the wife of Republican State Sen. Jay Collins), even though School Board elections are non-partisan.

“The Wesley Chapel Republican Club had a gentleman that was working for independents and Democrats and getting paid and volunteering [for them],” Foster said during the June 19 Pasco REC meeting attended by about 100 people at Grace Family Church on S.R. 54 in Lutz, where Dist. 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman was the featured speaker. “Several people have had to be removed and asked to leave [the Pasco REC] because they endorsed or supported independents and Democrats against Republicans in the general election.”  

He added, “We can’t do that as members [of the REC]. We agree here by signing an oath. We have tried to work with the [WCRC] for nearly a year about this and we tried to suggest to just take that person and put them in another position, [because] they could not be in an administrative position of the club if they were going to work for Democrats or independents. We’re here for the Republican Party of Pasco. We’re here to get Republicans elected.” 

But, Cracchiolo says that working to get Republicans elected is exactly what the WCRC has done since its inception. And, even though Peter has helped some non-Republican campaigns, “He has done an amazing job of getting our speakers for us,” Cracchiolo says. He is a registered Republican and a strong supporter of the Republican party and our entire club believes he should not have to be removed from our Board.” 

Even so, Cracchiolo received a Cease & Desist letter from Benjamin J. Gibson of the Law Firm of Shutts & Bowen, LLC, the attorney for the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) on May 13 that says, 

“On behalf of the RPOF, we write to demand that you immediately cease and desist your unauthorized usage of the Republican name in association with your organization ‘Wesley Chapel Republican Club,’ including your operation of the Facebook page available at Facebook.com.

Because your club’s charter was not renewed by RPOF, your use of the Republican name in the title of your organization and on Facebook is now without approval, permission or authorization of the RPOF. 

Florida law is clear that a political party’s name, abbreviation, or symbol may not be used in connection with any club, group, association, or organization of any kind ‘unless approval and permission have been given in writing by the state executive committee of such party.’ 

Jim & Peter Cracchiolo of the WCRC, with former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (photo from Facebook.com/Wesley Chapel Republican Club, Inc.) 

§ 103.081(2). Section 103.081(2) states: 

(2) No person or group of persons shall use the name, abbreviation, or symbol of any political party, the name, abbreviation, or symbol of which is filed with the Department of State, in connection with any club, group, association, or organization of any kind unless approval and permission have been given in writing by the state executive committee of such party.” 

Cracchiolo says that his club is not backing down. On May 21, Cracchiolo responded to Gibson’s Cease & Desist letter as follows: 

“We decline to comply with RPOF’s demand, for the reasons outlined below: 

1. Descriptive Use of ‘Republican’ and Legal Authority. The word ‘Republican’ is merely descriptive and not available for registration or common law right of exclusive use. The Club’s use of the word “Republican” is made solely in a descriptive and expressive capacity, to identify the general political viewpoint of its members and the nature of our discussions and events. The Club does not claim to be affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized by the RPOF or the Republican National Committee. This usage is protected under well-established First Amendment principles and the doctrine of nominative fair use. The use of such political identifiers by grassroots, unaffiliated community groups is a long-standing and widely accepted practice. 

With respect to your citation, and misplaced analysis, of Florida law, the operative text in FL. Statute §103.082 (2) is ‘No person or group of persons shall use the name, abbreviation, or symbol of any political party, the name, abbreviation, or symbol of which is filed with the Department of State.’ As to the name, the restriction relates to the ‘Party’ name designation filed with the state. For example, the state party is the “Republican Party of Florida” (RPOF as we routinely refer to it) and is filed with the state. The term ‘Republican’ standing alone is not a party, and our club has made clear that it is not affiliated with the GOP, RNC, Florida or county Republican Party (each of which having their own distinctive name and symbol); but instead, is an independent organization and club for individual members of the public who personally identify as a Republican.” 

Editor’s note – I only became aware of this situation because Jannah and I attended the June 12 WCRC meeting hoping to hear District 4 Pasco Commissioner Lisa Yeager speak, but when Yeager cancelled that appearance the same day, Cracchiolo brought an update on the battle to the more than 50 attendees. I told Cracchiolo that I would try to talk to both Foster and Stevenson at the Pasco REC meeting the following week to try to help iron out a solution, but both sides are standing firm. 

So, the WCRC is still planning to continue to use the name “Republican” without a charter and the Pasco REC is deciding what to do next. 

But, as Foster said at the Pasco REC meeting “This was not not the way I wanted it to be resolved, but I have a clear conscience.” 

North Tampa Bay Chamber Officially Opens New Office At The Shops At Wiregrass! 

Although we post photos from North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting events pretty much every issue, the photos on this page are from the Chamber’s own ribbon-cutting event during the official Grand Opening Celebration at its office next to Dillard’s at The Shops at Wiregrass on June 26! 

Yes, the office, which NTBC president & CEO Hope Kennedy says will be the Chamber’s last move for as long as she’s in charge, has been open for a few months, but Hope, office administrator Darlene Hill, Board chair Angelique Lenox and more than 100 people packed the Chamber office and enjoyed food from Chamber members Bubba’s 33, Texas Roadhouse, Jimmy John’s and 3 Natives. Dist. 2 Pasco Commissioner Seth Weightman talked about the days when the Chamber had a small office at the Brookside Prof. Park and Board past chair Roberto Hiller and Angelique gave Hope an award for her years of service and her impact on the Chamber and the community. — GN; some photos on this page by French Flare Photography 

The Secret Lounge Is Open In Freedom Plaza!

Located at 30120 S.R. 54 in the Freedom Plaza, between Bosco’s and the Smoke Shop, is The Secret Lounge, which is owned by Ahmed, who also owns the Smoke Shop. Former Bosco’s pizza guy Johnny (left) is among those serving up Halal hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hot dogs at The Secret Lounge, as well as French fries, onion rings, empanadas and tasty San Bernardo ice cream, all at great prices! For more info, call (813) 803-3463. — GN 

BawarcHi Biryani Indian Cuisine Opens In Former Taco Son Location!

Two new restaurants have recently opened in the Freedom Plaza. In the former location of Taco Son, at 30056 S.R. 54, is BawarcHi Biryani Indian Cuisine. Naresh, one of the partners in the Wesley Chapel location, says that BawarcHi is a chain with more than 60 locations, including Brandon, Orlando, Miami and Sanford, FL. 

Photographer Charmaine George and I were impressed with the attractive décor and especially, the truly excellent Southern Indian (and Indo-Chinese) cuisine we sampled on our first visit, including the Karivepaku veggie dumplings in a delicate sauce flavored with curry leaves (left), plus traditional favorites like butter naan bread, butter chicken and my favorite, the noodles with chicken and chicken biryani. The prices are very fair and the food is excellent. For more info, call (813) 991-9099 or visit BawarchiWesleyChapel.com. 

Call Welter Law For Estate Planning Experience With Compassion

Attorney Denise Welter of the Welter Law Office in the Cypress Glen Professional Park wants to be the attorney you turn to when you need any type of estate planning. (Photos by Charmaine George)

When Shari and Bill Daniel had small children more than two decades ago, they realized immediately that they needed a plan in case something ever happened to them. 

A friend highly recommended attorney Denise A. Welter, Esq., who was practicing estate law in South Florida, so they reached out. 

“She is so easy to work with,” Shari says. “It gives me such peace of mind knowing we have every legal document we need. I have this overwhelming sense of calm that my kids won’t have to worry.” 

Even though Shari’s children are now grown and have never yet had to reach for that paperwork, Shari has referred a stream of relatives and friends to Denise, who prepared them for many scenarios that can happen — from incapacity to illness to, of course, death. 

“Denise helped my mother before she got sick,” Shari says. “The only non-stressful part of her illness was knowing I had everything I needed at my fingertips. I had medical power of attorney, so I could make the decisions I needed to make. Her wishes were very clear and I could follow them to a ‘T,’ thanks to Denise’s amazing planning.” 

Shari says that many people think all they need is a will, but Denise showed her that there are many other options to consider. Denise provides a comprehensive binder for her clients, encouraging them to document family values, funeral preferences and account passwords. 

“Just to pay my mom’s water bill, I had to have a durable power of attorney,” Shari says. “But, all I had to do was open the folder and it was there.” 

When Denise’s husband of more than four decades retired, the couple moved from South Florida to New Tampa. 

Two years ago, Denise opened her Welter Law Office in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, just east of I-75 and north of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel, where she helps families with estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and advanced health care directives. 

In addition to her legal expertise and making it easy for families to organize important legal documents, Shari says the best thing about working with Denise is her compassion. 

“Doing this type of paperwork is very emotional,” Shari says. “[Denise] has empathy beyond her legal experience and really understands the emotional aspects of the process.” 

Denise had been a legal secretary for 17 years when she was let go from her position, a turning point she describes as the “best worst thing that ever happened to me.” 

As a busy mom of two young boys, she then made the decision to pursue a law degree. 

Over the next five years, she obtained both her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, majoring in Legal Studies, and her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, both from Nova Southeastern University, which is based in Ft. Lauderdale. 

A member of the Florida Bar since 2002, Denise passed the examination on her first try. After assisting in another firm’s real estate department, she found her calling in estate planning and probate. 

“I found my niche, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” she says. 

Denise goes over an estate plan with a client. 

Emphasizing the importance of wills and trusts, Denise highlights the role of these important legal documents in providing directions to the courts regarding asset distribution. 

When someone passes away with assets solely in their name and without a designated beneficiary, their estate has to go through the probate court process before their assets can reach their heirs. In order to bypass probate, Denise advises her clients of the benefits of trust planning, which transfers assets into a trust, creating a separate legal entity that holds and manages them, ensuring a smooth transition to the deceased’s beneficiaries. 

“With a trust, because you technically don’t own the assets at your death — the trust owns them — so nothing has to go through the probate process,” she explains. “Most people do trusts to avoid probate and to protect their assets, especially for their minor children.” 

She adds that trust planning serves as a preventive measure against court involvement and the necessity for guardianship in situations involving dementia or other illnesses that render individuals incapable of handling their own financial decisions. 

Highlighting an often-overlooked scenario, Denise also suggests that parents of 18-year-olds should consider having health care surrogate designations, living wills and powers of attorney for these new adults to navigate potential HIPAA law challenges. 

Otherwise, if their 18-year-old is hospitalized or otherwise incapacitated, medical providers are unable to give parents any information about the adult child’s condition. 

Denise says that the most important skills she needs in this field are the ability to listen to what her clients’ want and expect and then put together what they need for their family dynamic. “A lot of attorneys like to do a lot of the talking, but when clients come in, they want someone to hear their story,” Denise says. 

She notes how helpful that can be, especially when connecting with clients who face difficult and complicated family dynamics, whether it’s a blended family or adult children who are estranged from their parents. 

“It’s a very sad trend I’m seeing, but one of our roles as an attorney is as a counselor,” Denise says. “So, I help clients analyze those issues and give them tips to navigate those waters that can sometimes feel overwhelming.” 

Denise also sends digital follow-ups annually to inform her clients of any law changes that could affect them and encourages them to review their estate plans every five years or during important life changes. 

She is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys, The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, The Real Property Probate & Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Lawyers of Distinction and Lead Council Verified. 

Denise offers a free consultation to sit down and talk through a client’s needs and wants and understand what their complications might be. Then, she quotes a flat fee of the cost to prepare the needed documents. 

Denise and her paralegal, Jackie Shoemaker, are committed to great client communication. Jackie joined the firm after Denise’s former paralegal moved out of the area. 

“Jackie has been here since January and has already become a great asset to the firm in such a short time,” Denise says. “She has a lot of experience.” 

When not at her law office, Denise says she can be found at the beach with Bob, her high school sweetheart, visiting her sons Chris and Eric, playing with her three grand-daughters, Abbey, Amelia and Lillian, traveling, or participating in a marriage communications weekend with United Marriage Encounters. 

For more about info about the Welter Law Office (2405 Creel Lane, Suite 102, Wesley Chapel), call (850) 388-3845, visit WelterLawOffice.com.