Looking to 2018

The people who attended the event snapped up the $300 a head tickets. The event sold out two months ago, said Michael Barnett, chairman of the Palm Beach County Republican Party.

The attendees, activists who can form the volunteer backbone of campaigns and potential major donors, are vital constituencies for candidates, and the dinner attracted multiple high profile likely 2018 candidates.

Putnam, the state agriculture commissioner, is an all-but-declared candidate for governor.

He touted the virtues of capitalism after a recent Florida poll found many young people thought socialism is as good or better; praised Scott, with whom he hasn’t always been politically in sync; and urged party members to stay pumped up to ensure victories in 2018. “Enthusiasm matters,” he said.

Gov. Rick Scott, who can’t run because of term limits, is a likely candidate for U.S. Senate.

Scott praised the president; talked about spending a day last month at the White House (“He doesn’t eat the most healthy food”); and criticized Republican rivals in Tallahassee who want to scale back government subsidies for businesses and tourism marketing.

Before Friday night’s dinner at Mar-a-Lago, he avoided a small group of reporters. He didn’t participate in the traditional entrance of elected officials. After speaking and picking up the “Statesman of the Year” award, he left early.

State Sen. Jack Latvala is contemplating a run for governor. His presence at the dinner and his political committee’s purchase of a half-page ad in the program are clear signals. There aren’t any other reasons a state senator from Pinellas County would play a role at the Palm Beach County dinner.

Lt. Gov. Carlos LopezCantera hasn’t said what he’s doing next year, but promised to be back at next year’s Lincoln Day dinner. The good 2016 can’t lead to complacency as 2018 approaches, Lopez-Cantera said. “We can’t sit on our hands,” he said.