Americans For Prosperity – Florida

2011: Former Citizens for a Sound Economy-FL Director Slade O’Brien Became Florida Director Of Americans For Prosperity. According to the St Petersburg Times Blogs, “Slade O’Brien is the new state director of Americans for Prosperity-Florida, the free-market activism group announced Monday. O’Brien’s previous jobs include president of Florida Strategies Group, executive director of Florida Stop Lawsuit Abuse, and Florida director of Citizens of a Sound Economy.” [St Petersburg Times Blogs, 6/27/11]

AFP’s “Single Largest Field Operation” Was In Florida, Where The Group Had 10 Offices. According to the Associated Press, “In many places, the group [AFP] has more trained and paid operatives than the traditional political parties have. Nowhere is this more obvious than Florida, where the group has 10 offices, its single largest field operation.” [Associated Press, 10/12/14]

AFP’s Organization In Florida Rivaled The Size Of The Florida GOP. According to the New York Times Magazine, “Where does the money go? Americans for Prosperity obviously spends a lot on television, but it also maintains offices in 35 states with 600 paid staff members. The group funds phone banks, big-ticket events and many other details like beer cozies and water bottles. Its biggest chapter is in Florida, where its 50 paid staff members work out of 10 offices and constitute a year-round organization that rivals that of the state Republican Party.” [New York Times Magazine, 10/19/14]