In 1970, Congressman Frey addressed the Florida Republican State convention in Orlando at a time when divisive primaries for governor and the U.S. Senate had seriously undermined GOP chances of victory in the general election. Senate nominee and U.S. Representative William C. Cramer of St. Petersburg had defeated the former judge G. Harrold Carswell of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr., had topped two intraparty rivals, drugstore magnate Jack Eckerd of Clearwater and state Senator and later Congressman L. A.
In 1970, Congressman Frey addressed the Florida Republican State convention in Orlando during a time of internal conflict within the party for both governor and Senate positions, which negatively impacted the GOP's chances of success in the general election. William C. Cramer, a U.S. Representative from St. Petersburg, defeated former judge G. Harrold Carswell, who was on the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr., had won over two other candidates vying for the party's nomination: Jack Eckerd, a drugstore magnate from Clearwater, and L. A., a state Senator later elected to Congress.