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

Ryan RayJune 28, 2016

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Rep. Matt Gaetz will hit the television airwaves in Northwest Florida for the first time in his run for the 1st Congressional District this week. Gaetz’s campaign announced a new 30-second spot filled with red meat for conservatives as he takes on Sen. Greg Evers in a Republican primary that will almost certainly decide who replaces retiring U.S. Rep. Jeff […]

Ryan RayJune 27, 2016

Mary Thomas‘ campaign came out swinging against Neal Dunn Monday, alleging links between the Panama City urologist and Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. In a memo addressed to reporters, Thomas claimed Dunn has a “Bill Nelson” problem, citing Dunn’s past support for Florida’s senior senator. According to a federal campaign finance filing, Dunn contributed to Nelson’s 2012 re-election […]

Ryan RayJune 24, 2016

As of the close of business for the state Division of Elections, it appears candidates in some 29 state House seats — nearly a quarter of the 120-member body — are already headed to Tallahassee. About 15 Republicans and 14 Democrats will have no need for a campaign manager this election cycle, according to a preliminary […]

Ryan RayJune 24, 2016

Florida’s consumer sentiment is trending negatively for the third straight month, according to a University of Florida survey. Consumers’ confidence in the wellbeing of the state economy dropped to 89, one point down from May’s report and tied with September 2015 for the lowest reading in the last year and a half. Overall economic news was […]

Ryan RayJune 23, 2016

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a request by Gov. Rick Scott for a disaster declaration in seven central Florida counties, according to the governor’s office. The declaration, announced Thursday afternoon, covers Orange, Brevard, Lake, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties. It comes as local economies cope with the economic aftermath of last week’s fatal mass shooting […]

Ryan RayJune 23, 2016

Republican Jeff Moran dropped out of contention for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District primary to succeed U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham Thursday morning, and is throwing his support behind former U.S Attorney Ken Sukhia. Moran’s move cuts the four-way GOP candidate pool down to three, and helps Sukhia consolidate his support in the more-populous eastern half of the sprawling eastern Panhandle district. […]

Ryan RayJune 21, 2016

In 1517, German theologian Martin Luther nailed his “95 Theses” to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, a move that helped spark the Protestant Reformation. Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson taped a copy of Connecticut’s assault weapons ban to the door of the Florida House in an effort to kickstart a populist U.S. Senate campaign most observers are […]

Ryan RayJune 20, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott said Monday he finds it thoroughly “disappointing” Obama administration authorities have denied his request for a federal emergency declaration in the wake of last weekend’s deadly shooting at an Orlando nightclub. Scott said the state of Florida will miss out on $5 million he requested, which he said would have funded “emergency response efforts, law enforcement […]

Ryan RayJune 20, 2016

Rep. Kathleen Peters will look to infuse her House District 69 re-election campaign with a festive, craft beer-fueled fundraiser on Tuesday. The Gulfport lawmaker will be hosted by fellow Pinellas Republican, Sen. Jeff Brandes at the Green Bench Brewing Company in St. Pete on Tuesday, June 21. Peters is seeking a third term in the House in a moderate swing seat. She […]

Ryan RayJune 16, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham may straddle the fence on some issues dear to progressives, but she came out on Thursday with a full-throated endorsement of Senate Democrats’ plan to notify the FBI when a suspected terrorist buys a firearm. The bill’s main Senate sponsor is Florida’s senior Sen. Bill Nelson, who introduced the bill Wednesday in response to […]

Ryan Ray
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Matt Gaetz vows to “fight back” against Washington in new TV spot

Mary Thomas campaign says Neal Dunn has a ‘Bill Nelson problem’

More than two dozen House members automatically re-elected

Florida consumer confidence down for third straight month amid mixed economic news

U.S. Small Business Administration offers emergency loans after Orlando shooting

Jeff Moran drops out, backs Ken Sukhia in CD 2

Alan Grayson takes his crusade to Tallahassee

Rick Scott: ‘disappointing’ Obama admin rejected emergency declaration following Orlando shooting

Kathleen Peters to hold St. Pete fundraiser with Jeff Brandes

Gwen Graham co-sponsoring Bill Nelson’s gun purchase oversight bill