Jeff Howell has been involved in Republican campaigns since age 14 when he volunteered as a precinct walker for the Jack Eckerd for Governor Campaign (1978), while growing up along Highway A1A in Neptune Beach, Florida. As a teenager Jeff also volunteered for the Don Brewer for Mayor of Jacksonville Campaign (1979) and the George Grimsley for Congress effort (1982).
Upon entering Florida State University and majoring in political science, Jeff rose through the ranks and became Chairman of the FSU College Republicans (1983). While a student he also served as a member of the Leon County Republican Executive Committee (1983-1985) and was a founding member and 2nd Vice President of the Tallahassee Young Republicans (1984). Jeff also served as aid to State Senator Richard Langley (R- Clermont), Senate Minority Leader, 1984-1985.
During the 1984 campaign, in which Ronald Reagan was the Party’s standard-bearer nationally, Jeff and a group of young, driven, and politically savvy FSU students rallied around candidate Jan Pietrzyk, a Republican running for Leon County Supervisor of Elections. Pietrzyk was at first considered an underdog candidate as the “Republican Establishment” favored another candidate in the election. However, Jeff and his band of young FSU students, mostly fellow political science majors and College Republicans helped Jan Pietrzyk to a primary victory over his Republican opponent and a General Election win over the Democrat at a time when Leon County registration was 72 % Democratic.
During the campaign Jeff & company utilized campaign techniques, including mailing voters individualized maps of where to vote in their own precinct and a weekly circular the “Tallahassee Republican” which have since been used successfully in other campaigns. Jan Pietryzk’s election gave him the historical distinction of being the first Republican county constitutional officer elected countywide in Leon County since Reconstruction (1865-1877).
The year 2000 was a busy one. Jeff re-entered the political arena winning a ballot election for his neighborhood precinct committeeman post defeating the sitting precinct committeeman with 66 % of the vote. With his election Jeff was returning to the Leon County Republican Executive Committee after 15 years. During this same year Jeff successfully managed a long shot candidate’s race for Leon County Commissioner helping to put together a strategic plan that would result in the candidate successfully coming in first in the Republican Primary, winning the Republican run-off, and defeating his Democratic opponent in the General Election. By December 2000, the Leon County Republican Executive Committee had elected Jeff a Vice-Chairman of the local party.
On August 26, 2008, Jeff Howell was elected by the Republican voters of Leon County to the position of Republican State Committeeman. A total of 10,700 Republican voters participated in the election. In a three-way race, Jeff garnered 5936 votes or 55 % of the votes to win. He was officially installed as Leon County’s Republican State Committeeman on September 11, 2008. On April 29, 2010, RPOF Chairman John Thrasher appointed Jeff to Chair the State Party’s Ethics Committee.
