Former Chair of the Federation of Black Republicans Deon Long (pictured below) was removed from the local Republican Party by Florida GOP Chair Jim Greer.

In a letter dated July 3, 2009, Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer removed Deon Long, a Winter Park attorney, from his precinct committeeman post with the Orange County Republican Executive Committee as punishment for Long’s attempted takeover of Orange County Republican Party. Greer also “has kicked Deon Long out of the Orange County Republican Party,” according to columnist William March.

After losing an August election for the State Committeeman job, Mr. Long challenged longtime Chair Lewis Oliver for the chairmanship in December. It was his second attempt, and this time he lost in a disputed election by only one vote. The narrow defeat fueled a series of ‘coup’ attempts by Long supporters, which include controversial radio host Doug Guetzloe and Republican Liberty Caucus activist Nick Egoroff.

According to Guetzloe, “Not only is this a clear violation of free speech, but it signals the beginning a party purge by Greer — who has been embarrassed by his failure to reign in local GOP leaders for Bill McCollum and Charlie Crist.”

“Mr. Oliver’s refusal to seat 19 duly elected committee members committed to Long resulted in a rigged election that Oliver claimed to have won by one vote in spite of not receiving a majority of the vote as required by Party rules,” said Guetzloe. “Since that time, Mr. Oliver has intentionally failed to call a meeting of the full executive committee knowing full well that the overwhelming majority of the REC is opposed to his continuation in office.”

Reportedly, Greer also wanted to run for Congress in District 24 — the same seat that Deon Long has filed to run in. Mr. Long recently re-filed a lawsuit against the Orange County Republican Executive Committee.