I think it may be a nation-wide thing.
The local GOP chieftains here seem pretty intent on destroying the party, and cozying up to the lefties and pauleroids as much as possible...and most of the rank and file don’t seem to care.
THe GOP began as the Party of Abolition and Union.
It morphed into the party of the northern Main Street Businessman and the homeowners and professionals who supported his business with their trade and investment. As such, it ran the country somewhat successfully for many years.
It morphed into the party of Wall Street Industrialists, who gave up the country to Roosevelt and 40 years of Democrat Rule. During that period, they formed a coalition with the Democrats to reduce corporate taxes and increase individual taxes. The GOP became the loyal opposition which didn't know how to rule when it occasionally took power.
It morphed into the party of international corporations "Globalists." And it gave us George Bush.
Birth. Life. Death. It's natural. And it is really scary, because there is no political force in opposition to the Democratic Party. Yeah. We need a new party. Or two. How do you do that?
Him and his brother have definitely destroyed the GOP in Florida. We have nothing but RINOs in office now...hell...even the head of the GOP here is a RINO.