Ryan Nicol
Former state Sen. Jeremy Ring earned another endorsement in his bid to be that state’s Chief Financial Officer, picking up the support of the Florida Police Benevolent Association. The PBA is a union representing law enforcement officers across the state.
In a statement, PBA President John Rivera said, “Senator Jeremy Ring is a passionate advocate for Florida’s law enforcement and correctional officers. He was our champion in the Florida Legislature.” Ring, a former Parkland resident, represented northern Broward County in the Florida Senate from 2006 to 2016. Rivera went on to say that Ring’s “innovative mind and tenacity helped usher in major positive changes for the officers and their families. We are proud to endorse Jeremy Ring for Chief Financial Officer.”
This adds to Ring’s endorsement pool as he was recently endorsed by former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy. The International Association of Fire Fighters also endorsed Ring last year.
Ring, a Democrat, will have to unseat the current CFO, Republican Jimmy Patronis. He was appointed to the position last year by Gov. Rick Scott.
Patronis was set to face a primary challenge from state Sen. Tom Lee before Lee ultimately decided against a run.
Ring has brought in impressive fundraising totals in his challenge to Patronis. The most recent poll in the race also showed Ring with 37 percent support to Patronis’s 35 percent. However, that poll was conducted back in December.
Among the state CFO’s responsibilities are oversight of Florida’s retirement funds and regulation of the insurance industry.
An early member of the Yahoo!, Ring opened the first East Coast office of the internet company back in 1996. The 47-year-old wrote a book about his time there, but left long before its eventual financial troubles.
