GOP consultant in murder-suicide

Sad news from the Orlando Sentinel that veteran GOP consultant Ralph Gonzalez, who has worked for the likes of Andy Gardiner, Tom Feeney, John Quinones, Dean Cannon, John Ostalkiewicz, Ed Homan, and most recently Allen Roosa in HD 34, is dead following an apparent double murder-suicide. The Miami native and former Georgia GOP executive director was the founder of the Strategum Group and an informed voice on the Buzz here and there.

Comments

Does anyone have anymore info on who was murdered and who committed suicide?

Shut up you idiot!

That doesnt matter, all that matters is that a tragedy has happened to one of us.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, in an article also linked by Jason, there were three dead. "They are Gonzalez's roommate David Abrami and friend Robert Drake." It doesn't say who was murdered and who committed suicide.

God Bless you Ralph. We will miss you.

8:57 it does matter to me, I knew Ralph since 98 and worked with him at the GOP in House campaigns. So stop calling people idiots for wanting to know what happened to a friend.

[Jamie Miller]

Rest in Peace, Ralph. I will miss you, my friend.

8:57 is a total idiot.

I am still stunned- gosh I will miss him-

Go Gators Ralph- Rest in Peace

[Eli]

Ralph, we will miss you! I will forever cherish all the wonderful memories from our RPOF days. You were one of a kind.

[*]

What a tragedy but details would help.

By the way, Ralph won't be reading this but his family will.

Ralph was a great guy and a real professional. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He is with the Lord and that is solace to those of us who cared for him.

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." [2 Corinthians 5:8]

WESH TV quoted Ralph's mother as saying the visitor killed Ralph, then his roommate and then himself. It's an apparent love triangle.

Ralph was a very good Republican operative. He'll be missed. May God rest his soul.

[Peter]

My prayers are with Ralph's family and friends.

[Stephanie]

I am shocked - I worked with Ralph at the RPOF for 3 years. My heart goes out to his loving family. May God be with them and all of his friends during this time.

I've known Ralph for about 8 years. He was always a 'stand-up' guy. Even if you were on the other side of a campaign or issue, he treated you the same. Incredibly sad day and I also wish his family peace in this tragic time, as others above have done.

[Jim Johnson]

"O Lord, grant those who have died the joy of Your Presence, and us who are living the happiness of knowing this."

It is a sad day. My thoughts and prayers are with Ralph's family and friends.

so sorry for the family

but it does sound like a "love gone wrong"
heh - another republican homosexual - maybe the party should be thinking more openly.

He was a good guy but an overrated consultant.

Guns, gays and republicans. Three things the media loves to talk about. This is going to get bad.

[Kudzu]

3 more good republicans

last couple of posts, REAL CLASSY.

12:40
If you are truly sorry for the family, why on earth would you follow that statement with such unfeeling babble?
12:54
I hope you never loose a faminly member under such tragic circumstances. Someone might be just as unfeeling and hateful as you have been on this blog.

Both of you could use some compassion and maturity.
I hope they close the postings on this thread.

[+]

Some people are sick. This is a tragedy - no matter what political affiliation, race, creed, gender, etc. Ralph was a well respected professional, an honest individual and a charismatic person. He will be missed by many.

For more information, read the Orlando Sentinel article.

It is a tragic day when anyone this young dies, much more so with three people. I could care less about the intimate details of the departeds' lives. It's still a tragedy.

However, I do agree with 12:54's assesment that his story will get worse and more coverage for all the wrong reasons.

[Kim S]

Ralph was a dear friend and a beautiful person. We will all miss him and his larger than life personality.

My prayers and tears for his family. What a true tragedy.

We all love you Ralph.

Ralph was a good friend and a true professional. I learned a great deal from him throughout the years. I'll miss you greatly, my friend.

I got to work with Ralph on a campaign and he was always professional, helpful, and one of the most enjoyable people in the business. He will be dearly missed.

I think its a tragedy that this story will get so much play because of homosexuality or political preference. So Ralph was a gay Republican. Big deal. The horrible part is that three young people who contributed to society are lost to us all.

[Jack Latvala]

Ralph was a fine young man, a gentleman, and an honorable competitor for all of us in the business. I knew him as a Senate employee, a fellow consultant on the same side of a race, and on opposite sides. He was a good person whose family should be proud of his many accomplishments.

This is a real horrible thing to happen. Ralph was a great guy and helped many.

[Queen Patty in Republican Paradise]

Will miss you in North Carolina! So sad?

Services for Ralph are tonight and tomorrow in Miami. Please see the Orlando Sentinel for specifics.

[Doug McAlarney]

Ralph,

I am stunned by your death. Our political paths parallel each other from Weldon in 1996 to House Campaigns in 2000 to consulting in 2003 to the many campaigns DMPC and Stragegum worked together over the past couple of cycles. (I think some of our opponents are still looking for their helmets after being hit so hard trying to come through the hole.)

My wife Vesselka is very sad over your death. You were one of the first people she met here in Florida and she was touched by your offer to come to Bulgaria to volunteer for her father in his run for mayor. You made her laugh and smile when you came to visit me at Orlando Regional after my boat wreck which gave her great comfort.

I remember our conversation from some time back and what you said when I was in the hospital. Today I made the call as promised.

I am honored to call you my friend and will never forget you.

Doug.