CHANGES AT THE TOP IN THE LOCAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY

The Polk County Democratic Party has a new leader.

Richard Blank, a 64 year old attorney from Winter Haven, was elected Monday evening as Chairman of the Polk Democratic Executive Committee during its meeting in Bartow. He will fill the remaining term of retired Lakeland physician Dr. William Kremer, who resigned in advance to his moving to Connecticut.

The new chairman describes himself as a "grass roots Democrat", and has been active with the local party since his arrival five years ago from the Miami-Dade County area. He had been serving as chairman of the DEC's Campaign Committee, and was one of the founders of the local Democracy For America group.

A native Floridian and Air Force veteran, Blank currently works with the State Attorney's Office in Bartow. He is married to Caroll Franklin, who serves as Polk's State Committeewoman on the Florida Democratic Executive Committee.

Richard is a no-nonsense fellow who will provide excellent leadership heading into the upcoming election cycle. It's sad to lose Dr. Kremer at the helm, but he won't be leaving immediately, which will make for a smoother transition.