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

Ryan RayJanuary 5, 2016

U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson came out in support of President Barack Obama‘s vow to take action on gun control Tuesday. The president, in a national address, said he will move on his own to take executive action to restrict access to firearms, closing the so-called “gun-show loophole” that he says allows devious would-be gun buyers to avoid background checks […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

Democrat Randy Perkins took in a massive $1.35 million dollar haul during his first active month of running for Congress, his campaign announced Monday. The independently wealthy political novice raised about $425,000 from donors, as well as chipping in $1 million of his own money during the fourth fundraising quarter of 2015. Perkins is seeking to succeed […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. — Florida’s state-backed “insurer of last resort” — received approval Monday to shed another 71,500 home insurance policies from its rolls amid an ongoing effort to reduce the state’s liabilities. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation announced two private carriers have been approved to take over the policies, which cover properties […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

Attorney and Democratic politico Emily Slosberg opened a campaign account Monday in SD 25, a Palm Beach-area Senate district currently held by Sen. Joe Abruzzo. Slosberg is the daughter of Boca Raton Rep. Irv Slosberg. She was previously thought to be waiting in the wings for his HD 91 seat until the lawmaker terms out in 2018, but the newly-revised […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

Influential retailers lobby Florida Retail Federation announced Monday it has named a new President and CEO, promoting Randy Miller from the position of Executive Vice President. Miller also assumes the helm at sister organization Georgia Retail Association, where he was also a senior executive. Longtime FRF staffers Samantha Hunter Padgett and Melissa Joiner Ramba – wife of well-known Tallahassee lobbyist David Ramba – also received promotions […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

Former Rep. Mike Clelland confirmed speculation he will indeed run for the open state Senate seat vacated by term-limited President Andy Gardiner this year. The former Democratic lawmaker issued a statement Monday corroborating reports — first reported by Florida Politics — he will pursue a return to the statehouse. “Throughout my nearly three decades as a firefighter, I saw firsthand […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

A new federal boating safety provision introduced by U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham and a Republican co-sponsor became law this month. Language originally offered by Graham and U.S. Rep. Garret Graves of Louisiana was enacted as part of the FY 2016-2017 transportation budget. The original bill — H.R. 3462, the “Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2015” […]

Ryan RayDecember 24, 2015

Former Rep. Mike Clelland will pursue a return to Tallahassee in the open Senate District 13 seat vacated by term-limited Senate President Andy Gardiner, according to multiple Democratic operatives. The Morgan & Morgan attorney and former firefighter has made calls to past supporters to gauge interest in a bid for the Orlando-based Senate seat. One local Democrat told FloridaPolitics.com Clelland […]

Ryan RayDecember 23, 2015

The head of the Republican Party of Florida released a recap of a busy year Wednesday, ahead of a potentially momentous one in 2016. RPOF Executive Director Brad Herold said in his retrospective the state party tried to balance expenditures of time and money trying to win a Presidential cycle in November many observers expect to favor […]

Ryan RayDecember 21, 2015

In another early maneuver in an increasingly expensive Senate primary, Rep. Matt Gaetz has unveiled a new ad in his race against fellow Republican George Gainer in SD 1. It focuses not on his primary opponent, but on the “radical” federal agenda of President Barack Obama, who Gaetz portrays as his biggest adversary during his time in the Florida House. […]

Ryan Ray
Image via AP.

Alan Grayson says Barack Obama’s executive action on guns right on target

Randy Perkins garners $1.35 million in first month for congressional bid

Citizens gets OK to shed another 71,500 policies in March

Let Emily serve? Emily Slosberg files for 2016 Senate run

Florida Retail Federation elevates Randy Miller to President

Mike Clelland confirms he’s running for SD 13 seat

Gwen Graham-sponsored boating legislation enacted into law

Former Democratic lawmaker Mike Clelland eyeing bid in Senate District 13

Republican Party of Florida looks back at 2015

Matt Gaetz launches new TV ad in heated SD 1 primary