Tom Powers, former Broward Republican Party chairman, dies after battle with cancer

Tom Powers, former Broward Republican Party chairman and Vice Mayor of Coral Springs, has died, five days after announcing his resignation as chairman.

The city of Coral Springs announced his death on X, formerly known as Twitter, Saturday afternoon.

Powers, 66, “died peacefully surrounded by family after a hard-fought battle with cancer,” the statement read.

The former chairman had sent an email to Republican Party members last weekend announcing his resignation.

“As many of you know, I have been battling cancer since early 2021. I have fought as hard as I can fight, but in recent months my health has deteriorated quicker than I expected. I would prefer to spend the moments I have left with my family,” he wrote.

Political leaders in Broward and the state of Florida remembered Powers on X Saturday.

“Chairman Tom Powers was a very competent and effective leader. He loved his country and worked hard to protect it. Grassroots PATRIOT. Big loss for our @FloridaGOP Family,” wrote Christian Ziegler, the chairman of the Florida Republican Party.

“Tom was a dedicated and tireless leader,” wrote Fort Lauderdale Commissioner John Herbst. “His presence will be sorely missed.”

Vice Chair Chris Marino became acting chair of the county party following Powers’ resignation.

Powers had a 21-year career in law enforcement with the Arizona State Police, most of it working as a narcotics agent on the Mexican border, before turning to politics in South Florida.

He spent six years on the Coral Springs City Commission, and in 2014 was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor. He also served as county Republican Party vice chair and president of the Coral Springs-Parkland Republican Club.

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