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

Ryan RayMarch 15, 2016

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was unable to come up with a sequel to his “Michigan miracle” last week, dropping the key state of Ohio and a majority of delegates Tuesday night to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. After losing in Ohio and Florida and with results in Illinois and Missouri still in doubt, Sanders spoke to a […]

Ryan RayMarch 15, 2016

After his first primary victory in his home state of Ohio, Gov. John Kasich continued to spread his can-do message of optimism and civility at a speech to supporters Tuesday night. After a brief hiccup to handle a Donald Trump-supporting crowd member, Kasich called for applause for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. He called Rubio a “gifted, talented senator” and congratulated […]

Ryan RayMarch 15, 2016

Former Senate President Don Gaetz on Tuesday declared he will not seek the Congressional District 1 seat left open by U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller‘s recent decision to retire in 2016. Gaetz put an end to rumors he may try to make the leap to federal office in a memo to supporters Tuesday afternoon. “Gratified as I am by the many offers […]

Ryan RayMarch 15, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott declared his plan to lay waste to nearly 300 projects amounting to some $256 million with a preemptive announcement on Tuesday. Among the roughly $82 billion in funding items left standing: a controversial appropriation of $7 million to refresh the state’s stock of radio equipment for state law enforcement agents. The radio money making the cut […]

Ryan RayMarch 15, 2016

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to win Florida’s Democratic presidential primary contest on Tuesday over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. However, the wide generational enthusiasm gap was shown in a big way by a straw poll conducted by the state’s Young Democrats group. Sanders blew out Clinton by an overwhelming margin among Florida Young Dems, taking […]

Ryan RayMarch 15, 2016

Amid a cascade of statehouse dominoes in Northwest Florida in the aftermath of U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller‘s decision not to run for reelection to Congress, Rep. Mike Hill announced Monday he’ll run for Senate District 1. The seat is currently held by Baker Republican Sen. Greg Evers. Hill reportedly told his local Republican Executive Committee the move should not […]

Ryan RayMarch 14, 2016

Former President Bill Clinton paid a visit to the state capital Monday afternoon to campaign for his wife at the nation’s largest historically black college, Florida A&M University. Hillary Clinton, looking to clinch the Democratic presidential primary in the face of the surging Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, also sent her daughter Chelsea through the Sunshine state last week to […]

Ryan RayMarch 14, 2016

The office of U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham released footage of the freshman lawmaker zooming over her Panhandle congressional district on Monday as part of a signature Graham family “Workday,” this time with the Air Force in Congressional District 2’s Tyndall Air Force Base. Graham sat in the cockpit of a T-38 trainer aircraft, traveling the North Florida gulf […]

Ryan RayMarch 14, 2016

U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy picked up more labor support on Monday in his quest to out-maneuver liberal challenger U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson in the Democratic primary for Florida’s open U.S. Senate seat. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters Florida Regional Council endorsed Murphy’s bid for the seat left vacant by Marco Rubio. It’s betting on the Palm Beach congressman’s moderate approach to […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2016

A compromise between Republican lawmakers and ride-hailing firms like Uber was on thin ice Friday afternoon as Session raced to a close, until finally, the bill hit a brick wall. Sen. David Simmons, the Senate Rules Chair, had worked on the bill (SB 1118) for months. It would have mandated minimum commercial insurance requirements for drivers with Uber and […]

Ryan Ray
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

In Arizona speech Bernie Sanders stays on message as his odds grow longer

After Ohio victory John Kasich tips hat to Marco Rubio, vows to fight until convention

Don Gaetz says he won’t pursue U.S. House seat

State police radios funds spared from veto list

Bernie Sanders wins Florida Young Dems straw poll 89%-11%

Mike Hill to run for NW Florida Senate seat as dominoes fall

Bill Clinton campaigns for Hillary Clinton in Tallahassee

Gwen Graham takes to skies for Air Force Workday

Patrick Murphy picks up Florida carpenters’ union endorsement

Uber legislation finally flames out