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RPOF reports death of Bitner

Posted Sep 8, 2011 by William March

Updated Sep 8, 2011 at 02:07 PM

The Republican Party of Florida has announced the death of former party Chairman David Bitner, who left his post just a week ago because of his battle with amyotropic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“With sadness and a heavy heart, I must report that Florida has lost a great leader and public servant,” said state party Vice Chairman Leonard Curry in a statement just moments ago. “Today, the Republican Party of Florida’s Chairman Dave Bitner lost his courageous battle” with ALS.

Bitner, 62, a former state legislator and lobbyist, was elected chairman of the party in January, in an election widely seen as providing the party with the prospect of stability following the financial scandals that broke in the party open in 2010.

Prior to Bitner’s election, state Sen. John Thrasher had taken the reins of the party following Chairman Jim Greer, who was indicted in the financial scandal, but Thrasher made it clear he regarded the job as temporary.

Bitner, a likable and well-liked veteran party activist, was seen as a rescuer. He soon began experiencing health problems, however, and announced in April he had been diagnosed with ALS.

According to party spokesman Brian Hughes, Bitner died this morning at his home in Monticello with his wife and a few friends present.

The party plans an election to choose a new chairman during its Presidency 5 convention in Orlando later this month.

You can sign a guest book for Bitner here.