Staff Reports
Former Yahoo executive and state Sen. Jeremy Ring capped off a week on the campaign trail Friday with a big get.
Immediately following a speech at the annual convention of the Florida Professional Firefighters, the group moved to unanimously endorse Ring in the Democratic primary.
In his speech, Ring reaffirmed his support for the state’s firefighters by pledging to give them the resources they require to both fight and prevent fires if elected as Florida’s next chief financial officer.
“These guys put their lives on the line for us every day and we need to make sure we have their backs not only by outfitting them with modern equipment, but also by giving them the peace of mind that their families will be provided for in the tragic event that they fall in the line of duty,” Ring said.
Ring’s quote referenced legislation he championed in the Florida Senate allowing for the spouses of first responders killed on the job to claim the retirement benefits of their loved ones. Ring has long been an outspoken advocate for first responders and was pivotal in bringing resolution to their protracted and difficult pension negotiations with municipal governments, gaining the respect of both sides for his fair-minded and even-keeled role as an arbitrator in the long-running dispute.
For the past five months, Ring has been crisscrossing Florida, meeting with voters to share his vision for the state in advance of his anticipated candidacy. His unique background in the technology sector has colored his calls for the creation of an innovation economy and high-paying jobs in Florida.
Ring’s accomplishments in this sphere include helping to build Yahoo from a small startup into a multibillion-dollar venture along with his work in the Florida Senate laying the groundwork for innovation and technology startups to flourish in the state. Ring has additionally been a watchdog for consumers and a steadfast advocate for retirees and seniors, working to ensure the Florida Retirement System (FRS) remains robust for future generations.
It was a full week for Ring, who huddled with supporters and community leaders at a campaign kickoff Monday in Tampa before heading to central Florida to speak Wednesday at the annual conference of the Florida Alliance of Retired Americans (FLARA).
On Thursday, he spent the afternoon meeting with representatives from the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) at their conference in Kissimmee.
Among the CFO’s core responsibilities are management of the state’s public retirement system, regulation of the insurance industry and position as statewide fire marshal.
