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

Ryan RayJune 2, 2016

Florida has been spared a major hurricane hit for the longest period in decades, but in a state surrounded by water on three sides, it’s only a matter of time until our luck runs out. That’s why state officials are warning residents to get their papers in order as hurricane season begins. “The risks are […]

Ryan RayJune 1, 2016

A pair of eminent Florida politicos want to introduce legislation to create a specialty Florida license plate bearing the logo of Auburn University. That’s a bad idea for several reasons. No animus against Democratic strategist Kevin Cate, one of the kindest political people around, or Rep. Jamie Grant, who gives me courage despite my own receding hairline. But this […]

Ryan RayJune 1, 2016

Tampa businesswoman Rebecca Smith snagged an endorsement in her race for House District 60 on Wednesday, courtesy of the Florida Architects’ Political Action Committee. “FAPAC is honored to offer its support and endorsement of Rebecca Smith to become the District 60 Representative to the Florida State Legislature,” said Mickey Jacob, an AIA Florida member and past president of the […]

Ryan RayMay 31, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham isn’t running for re-election in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, but that doesn’t mean the signature Graham family workdays have come to a close. Amid a major spending fight in Congress over funding to fight the Zika virus, the freshman Democrat from Tallahassee took to the west of her sprawling Panhandle district to combat the […]

Ryan RayMay 31, 2016

In a crowded 2nd Congressional District primary with three candidates from Tallahassee or east of it, it was Panama City’s Neal Dunn who managed to win the day among Capital City Republicans last week. The urological surgeon won a Leon County Republican Executive Committee straw poll by five points over former U.S. Attorney Ken Sukhia and 17 points over former Rick […]

Ryan RayMay 27, 2016

Sources close to Ana Rivas Logan confirmed the suspicions of many statehouse watchers around the state on Friday, saying she will run for Florida’s southernmost Senate seat in District 40. As first reported by the Miami Herald, the move pits Logan against Republican Rep. Frank Artiles and incumbent Democrat Sen. Dwight Bullard in what figures to be a hotly contested race. […]

Ryan RayMay 26, 2016

In a seat where support from conservative activists could be crucial, Mary Thomas picked up the endorsement of Koch-backed FreedomWorks on Thursday. The former Scott administration attorney is running against three fellow Republicans in a heated primary that will almost certainly decide who succeeds Democrat U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham in the newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District. “Florida’s Second District is a […]

Ryan RayMay 26, 2016

Though he may be running in some new territory this fall, Sen. Jeff Clemens says he is not short on support from across his redrawn Senate District 31. The Lake Worth Democrat unveiled more than two dozen endorsements on Thursday from local elected leaders and advocacy groups. Those giving the often left-leaning Democrat the nod included Palm Beach Reps. Dave […]

Ryan RayMay 25, 2016

The internecine infighting between Democratic U.S. Reps. Patrick Murphy and Alan Grayson continued Wednesday amid their heated battle for the open Senate seat vacated by Sen. Marco Rubio. Murphy has now circulated a media report accusing Grayson of padding his fundraising figures by using temporary personal loans to his campaign account, then paying himself back using the same pool of contributions. […]

Ryan RayMay 25, 2016

The American Hotel and Lodging Association says Airbnb “landlords” raked in some $76 million on grey or black market transactions last year in Miami alone. The group released the results of a new study on a conference call with reporters Tuesday, which looked at 14 major markets’ activity in the short-term rental sector, led by […]

Ryan Ray

Jeff Atwater, state officials warn to prepare paperwork ahead of hurricane threats

An Auburn license plate in Florida is a bad idea

State architects group endorses Rebecca Smith in HD 60

Gwen Graham hunts mosquitos, talks Zika on Bay County Workday

Neal Dunn wins Leon Republicans’ straw poll

Ana Rivas Logan will run for Senate, mount primary challenge to Dwight Bullard

FreedomWorks endorses Mary Thomas in CD 2

Jeff Clemens announces raft of local endorsements

Report: Alan Grayson padded fundraising with temporary loans

Hotels group says Airbnb reaping millions in illegal South Florida revenue

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.