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

Ryan RayAugust 31, 2015

Congressional candidate Mary Thomas announced Monday she has agreed to abide by a “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” promoted by a conservative political group. In a release, Thomas touted the fact she is “the first, and to this point, only” candidate vying to replace Democrat U.S. Gwen Graham in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District to sign such a pledge. The Americans for Tax Reform-authored document reads as […]

Ryan RayAugust 31, 2015

For Brandon Patty, all signs point to 2016 congressional run to replace U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, the business consultant tells Florida Politics. The former Republican campaign staff member and Navy reservist said Friday that at the current rate “there’s no reason” he won’t be a candidate in the St. Johns County-based House district. Patty said his role […]

Ryan RayAugust 30, 2015

According to an analysis by the University of Minnesota’s Dr. Eric Ostermeier, businessman Donald Trump is leading his Republican presidential primary opponents in terms of number of mentions on the TV quiz show Jeopardy! – and it isn’t even close. Findings posted on the Ostermeier’s Smart Politics blog showed Trump as having a far larger footprint in the public’s pop cultural […]

Ryan RayAugust 28, 2015

When Rep. Brad Drake agreed to step aside and allow Rep. Marti Coley to finish out her tenure in the House following 2011 redistricting, he probably figured her former HD 5 seat was all his for four terms. But Bev Kilmer has announced she will not extend Drake the same professional courtesy Coley received when she and Drake were drawn into the […]

Ryan RayAugust 28, 2015

U.S. Rep. David Jolly on Friday unveiled a new component of his 2016 campaign for the Senate – a new “microsite” featuring a legislative scorecard meant to serve as the Clearwater Republican’s conservative highlight reel. The new site – JollyRecord.com – contains information touting the congressman’s votes against the 2015-2016 budget and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal […]

Ryan RayAugust 28, 2015

Republican state Rep. Ray Pilon has found an unlikely ally in his 2016 House re-election campaign in Sarasota-based District 72: leading Democratic strategist Steve Schale. Schale appears on the host committee for an upcoming fundraiser for the third-term Republican lawmaker, according to an invitation obtained by FloridaPolitics.com. Schale cited Pilon’s stance this year in a major battle over Medicaid […]

Ryan RayAugust 26, 2015

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Leonard Boord and Michael Joseph to the Florida International University Board of Trustees. Boord, 54, of Coral Gables, is the founder and chief executive officer of Slon Capital. He currently serves as a member of the Celistics Holdings SL Board of Directors. Boord succeeds […]

Ryan RayAugust 26, 2015

Gaming the system, or hardly working? That’s the question posed to federal lobbyists by POLITICO’s Kevin Hartnett in his new story “Would more lobbying improve America?” in which he wonders aloud – along with political science experts – whether the conventional wisdom whereby consultants leverage their access in Congress to rig the system in favor of […]

Ryan RayAugust 26, 2015

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis addressed a group of energy industry executives and representatives Wednesday in Tampa. Those attending the 2015 Gulf Coast Energy Forum spent the better part of the morning and afternoon railing against the Obama administration’s EPA and its new proposed regulations to rein in coal-fired power plants before the fifth-term Republican congressman arrived […]

Ryan RayAugust 26, 2015

The Gulf Coast Energy Forum’s keynote speaker Chuck Schmitt hit a familiar note within the energy industry as those attending finished lunch: The sector is a well-oiled machine calibrated for innovation, and government rules and regulations are drags not only on oil and gas production, but on the nation’s economy as a whole. Schmitt — president of […]

Ryan Ray

CD 2 candidate Mary Thomas signs anti-tax pledge

Brandon Patty moving toward U.S. House bid in CD 6

Donald Trump lapping the field in the Jeopardy! primary

Former lawmaker Bev Kilmer challenging Brad Drake in Panhandle House seat

David Jolly rolls out new microsite touting his conservative credentials

Democratic strategist Steve Schale reaches across the aisle to support Ray Pilon’s re-election

Leonard Boord and Michael Joseph appointed to Florida International University Board of Trustees

More lobbying, fewer problems?

Gus Bilirakis to energy conference: I’ll fight “tooth and nail” against EPA overreach

GCEF keynoter: America’s future will be forged by steel, not government