Lake County GOP rejects Anthony Sabatini’s membership application

The Lake County Republican Executive Committee voted to reject a membership application of former Chair Anthony Sabatini. That followed years of conflict with the sitting Lake County Commissioner and current county GOP Chair, Taylor Yarkosky.

“Tonight’s vote was about the future of our party,” Yarkosky, a state Representative, said. “Our members have worked hard to build a stronger, more united organization. We remain focused on electing Republicans, supporting conservative leadership, and delivering results for the voters of Lake County.”

A release from the party said it took issue as much with Sabatini’s recent criticism of President Donald Trump as it did with any local conflict.

Sabatini has been especially critical of Trump’s endorsement of U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, a New Smyrna Beach Republican facing a House Ethics investigation.

“Sadly, the Trump endorsement has become such a joke at this point lol,” Sabatini posted earlier this month after the Mills endorsement. “The Democrats are going to win the Midterms pretty big because of things like this.”

He has also criticized Trump’s immigration policy from the right, complaining there have been too few deportations.

The Lake GOP release said the former state Representative was “handing talking points and political cover to Democrats as we approach critical Midterm Elections.

“Republicans win when we focus on defeating Democrats, not when we tear down our own.” The release states.

The release also noted that since party leadership changed hands from Sabatini to Yarkosky, membership in the local party had doubled and fundraising activity had substantially increased.

Sabatini had opposed Yarkosky’s election to County Chair, favoring a plan that would have put former Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker in the position instead. He has since tried to have Yarkosky removed, sometimes through questionable means, according to party leaders.

Sabatini has also aligned with controversial gubernatorial candidate James Fishback.