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

Ryan RayAugust 3, 2015

The Florida arm of the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity has issued its annual legislative scorecard, which ranks state legislators based on their propensity to vote “pro-economic freedom.” The group graded all 160 state lawmakers based on their votes on economic issues. Votes considered in favor of deregulation were rewarded, whereas votes that reined in industry […]

Ryan RayJuly 30, 2015

The Gaetz father-son team of Florida lawmakers will appear at a forum put together by Florida State University grad students at the Old Capitol in Tallahassee next week. Former Senate President Don Gaetz and his son Rep. Matt Gaetz – who attended FSU as an undergraduate – will speak on a range of issues and answer questions from […]

Ryan RayJuly 30, 2015

Sen. Thad Altman became just the second person to file for the state House in 2018 this month, when he filed for the HD 51 seat currently held by term-limited Speaker Steve Crisafulli. An innocuous move at first blush, it could throw off the intricate math behind Rep. Eric Eislanugle‘s bid for the 2021-22 speakership. Altman, a Rockledge […]

Ryan RayJuly 30, 2015

Pensacola Rep. Mike Hill has written an open letter addressed to Speaker Steve Crisafulli slamming the recent Florida Supreme Court decision in League of Women Voters v. Dentzner. Hill cited the Federalist Papers and originalist constitutional arguments in bashing the court for “playing a most dangerous” game when it struck down eight congressional districts drawn by the Legislature […]

Ryan RayJuly 30, 2015

CFO Jeff Atwater has invited the public to come to Jacksonville this weekend to participate in the auction of hundreds of thousands of dollars of property, held in what is essentially the massive state “lost and found” his office oversees. Atwater’s office invites “Floridians” — although nearby Georgians will certainly come to reap the spoils, […]

Ryan RayJuly 29, 2015

Even before the blowhard braggadocio of Donald Trump took him to the top of the national polls, there has always been a comfortable seat at the table for the loudest voice in the room when it comes to GOP presidential primaries: See Michele Bachman, Herman Cain, and Ted Cruz, not to mention Barry Goldwater before them. But one place cranking […]

Ryan RayJuly 29, 2015

Florida can start enforcing a contentious law that restricts what doctors can say to patients about guns. The measure was adopted by the Florida Legislature four years ago, but had been caught in a lengthy court battle in which a federal judge in Miami had blocked the law from taking effect. But the 11th U.S. […]

Ryan RayJuly 28, 2015

Former U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland said Tuesday he won’t seek the Panhandle congressional seat he represented from 2011 until 2015. “It is after great thought and prayerful consideration that I’ve decided not to be a candidate for Congress in 2016,” the Panama City Republican said. “I’ve been blessed with the support of Susan and our […]

Ryan RayJuly 28, 2015

259361_218539968166390_4383238_o-e1461102444365-3500x5000.jpg

If things break as the Florida Supreme Court has foreshadowed, House Majority Leader Dana Young might be headed to the state Senate. While sources are conflicted as to whether a likely re-drawing of the upper chamber’s district boundaries will leave Young with a viable district, there is broad agreement on one thing: if she runs, she’ll certainly be competitive. “If a […]

Ryan RayJuly 27, 2015

The progressive Orlando-based Randolph political machine cranked up Monday afternoon, circulating an email that seeks to raise money in reaction to recent attacks by a local conservative blogger. The missive — called Who’s Afraid of Susannah Randolph? after an Edward Albee classic — cites a post from last week by Tea Partier Tom Tillison as a sign from […]

Ryan Ray

Americans for Prosperity picks annual “Champions of Economic Freedom” of 2015 Session

Don & Matt Gaetz to talk politics and family next week at Old Capitol

Thad Altman files for House seat in 2018, shifts Space Coast politics

Mike Hill pens letter to Speaker Steve Crisafulli decrying “unprecedented” court overreach

Jeff Atwater holding “Treasure Hunt” to auction off $700K in unclaimed property

Under-the-radar Marco Rubio hopes to fly high in South Carolina

Federal court says state can enforce “docs vs. glocks” law

Steve Southerland will not run in 2016

Dana Young for Florida Senate?

Email insights: Republicans scared of Susannah Randolph?