Ryan Ray, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayApril 11, 2016

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Alex Barrio leapfrogged his opponent Amy Mercado in a heated Democratic primary for an Orlando-area state House race last month, according to newly released campaign finance data. Barrio, who announced a run to succeed Rep. Victor Torres in HD 48 last month, raised $12,104 during the reporting period covering March 1 to March 31. Mercado raised $5,658, raising her […]

Ryan RayApril 7, 2016

Florida Congressional candidate Tim Canova said in an appeal to supporters his underdog campaign to oust DNC Chairwoman U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is continuing to “shock the political establishment” with its fundraising. The law professor and former aide to U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas raised a whopping $557,000 during the first quarter of 2016, and said Thursday his campaign is nearing […]

Ryan RayApril 6, 2016

Though Rep. George Moraitis has always been outnumbered by Democrats in the left-of-center Broward legislative delegation, the Fort Lauderdale Republican expressed confidence on Wednesday after Ken Keechl‘s announcement he’s running against Moraitis this year. Keechl, a former Broward County commissioner and mayor, criticized Moraitis as being out of step with voters on social and environmental issues, as well as […]

Ryan RayApril 6, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott will hold a formal bill-signing ceremony in Boca Raton on Wednesday afternoon to laud a bill that will keep the state of Florida from doing business with firms that boycott Israel. Scott will meet with Jewish and pro-Israel Floridian stakeholders at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, where he will signal his public […]

Ryan RayApril 5, 2016

The Department of Management Services’ Joint Task Force panel detailed on Tuesday how $7 million allocated for state law enforcement radios last year will be spent, possibly giving a clue into how another $7 million appropriated for SLERS during the 2016 Legislative Session may be allocated as well. The funding item has been the topic of a […]

Ryan RayApril 4, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott gave his signature Monday to an omnibus transportation bill that makes about a dozen changes to state law regarding the Florida Department of Transportation. Scott’s final approval of HB 7027 means numerous sundry changes for FDOT, one of the largest aspects of the budget and a prominent area of policy for Floridians who travel the state’s […]

Ryan RayApril 4, 2016

Rep. Matt Gaetz‘s campaign said Monday his U.S. House bid is picking up steam quickly, raising $350,000 during his first 10 days, including a $100,000 commitment from Gaetz himself. Gaetz is running for Congressional District 1, an open seat incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller is exiting after announcing his retirement from Congress in March. The Gaetz camp touted the big […]

Ryan RayApril 1, 2016

Members of the Florida Capitol Press Corps broke down the 2016 Legislative Session at the Capital City Tiger Bay Club’s April meeting on Friday, April Fool’s Day. Reporters Gary Fineout of the Associated Press, Tia Mitchell of the Florida Times-Union, Bill Cotterell of the Tallahassee Democrat, Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida, and Dara Kam of News Service of Florida answered questions posed by PR pro […]

Ryan RayMarch 30, 2016

Like most people who apply, Gov. Rick Scott was rejected by Yale when he suggested the Ivy League university founded in 1701 pull up stakes and move to Florida. Yale said they were flattered “to be recognized as an outstanding asset,” but said no thanks. That hasn’t stopped Scott from continuing to court Connecticut companies, however. On […]

Ryan RayMarch 30, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has ordered examinations into Visit Florida and Space Florida, two high-profile public-private partnerships with the state government, according to the Orlando Sentinel’s Gray Rohrer. The purpose of the reviews is to determine the level of return on investment Florida taxpayers get in exchange for funding projects through the entities, which don’t have the same broad […]

Ryan Ray
Elizabeth Martinez Strauss. Image via campaign.

Democrat Alex Barrio jumps out to fundraising lead in HD 48

Tim Canova says campaign nearing $100K in first week of April fundraising

George Moraitis responds to Ken Keechl’s challenge in HD 93 race

Rick Scott to sign Israel anti-boycott bill in Boca Raton

State police radio funding, next procurement to begin this summer

Rick Scott signs omnibus FDOT bill into law

Matt Gaetz says he’s raised $350K in first 10 days for congressional bid

Capitol Press Corps talks shop after 2016 Session

After Yale rejection, Rick Scott asks more Connecticut companies to move to Florida

Rick Scott orders probes into Visit Florida, Space Florida