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

Ryan RayJuly 6, 2015

11659258_693105524166707_6760883604639151309_n-1024x1024.jpg

Rep. David Richardson ruffled more than a few Democratic feathers in Miami when he filed paperwork to replace Sen. Gwen Margolis in Miami’s SD 35 before it was clear she wanted to leave it. Richardson’s new solution? Run for both. As first reported by Ladra in the Political Cortadito, Richardson has backed off his initial plans to run for the Senate in […]

Ryan RayJuly 2, 2015

As part of a run of several new appointees to state boards and agencies, Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday he has picked retired Florida National Guard Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett for the board that oversees the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The governor’s office noted that Burnett, a 70-year-old resident of St. Augustine, is […]

Ryan RayJuly 2, 2015

Communications director for the Florida Democratic Party Joshua Karp is leaving his post to join U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy‘s Democratic campaign to replace outgoing Marco Rubio in the Senate. Karp will remain with the FDP, where press secretary and Twitter gadfly extraordinaire Max Steele is set to replace him, until the end of the month. He has worked with […]

Ryan RayJuly 2, 2015

Palm Beach Gardens lawyer Jonathan Chane on Thursday became the 10th candidate to formally announce intentions to succeed U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, who’s abdicating the seat to run for U.S. Senate, in Florida’s 18th Congressional District in Palm Beach County. Chane brings substantial local and Tallahassee muscle to the race: The 42-year old Democrat is […]

Ryan RayJuly 2, 2015

Orange County classroom teacher Sean Ashby announced his intention to seek the House District 50 seat in east central Florida to be vacated by Rep. Tom Goodson, who is switching districts. Ashby will face current HD 49 Rep. Rene Plasencia, who has filed for the Republican-leaning seat to avoid being bounced after one term, like his […]

Ryan RayJuly 1, 2015

On Wednesday the League of Conservation Voters announced the launch of an online ad campaign to — no, not raise campaign cash like every other email we see these days — but rather to show their appreciation to U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham for her vote last week against a bill to roll back environmental protection provisions under the […]

Ryan RayJune 30, 2015

Chief Judge Charles Francis of the state’s 2nd Circuit court issued an injunction on Tuesday that delays the implementation of a new law set to go into effect the next day, on July 1. The judge said in an 11-page ruling in favor of the plaintiffs that the law would do unjustified “irreparable harm” to Florida women […]

Ryan RayJune 30, 2015

For the second time this month, Rep. Kathleen Passidomo received plaudits from the Florida Bar. The Trial Lawyers Section gave the Naples Republican its “Legislator of the Year” award on Tuesday, honoring the third-term representative for her work in revising the state’s guardianship laws to protect Florida’s elders from financial exploitation. “I am humbled by this honor […]

Ryan RayJune 29, 2015

Shelley Vana, the mayor of Florida’s third-largest county, gave the nod on Monday to Melissa McKinlay, a Palm Beach commissioner seeking to replace U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy in Congress. The move is a coup for McKinlay locally: Vana’s endorsement comes as other Democrats, including fellow sitting commissioner Priscilla Taylor, are also seeking to assume the 18th […]

Ryan RayJune 26, 2015

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn spoked to about 100 members of the Capital City Tiger Bay Club in Tallahassee early on Friday afternoon, where he told a North Florida crowd about his mayoral, ideology-free vision for the state as a whole. The visit stoked speculation back home that the mayor — re-elected virtually without opposition this […]

Ryan Ray
One of several proposed designs for Florida's new Margaritaville license plates. Image via the office of Rep. Linda Chaney.

David Richardson makes way for Gwen Margolis, will seek House seat in 2016

Rick Scott appoints Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett to UNF board

FDP comms director Joshua Karp signs on with Patrick Murphy’s U.S. Senate bid

Attorney Jonathan Chane joins crowded field to replace Patrick Murphy in U.S. House

Democrat Sean Ashby launches 2016 bid in HD 50 amid House seat-swapping

Gwen Graham earns plaudits, charts singular course with recent Clean Air vote

New law mandating 24-hour abortion waiting period delayed by state court

Trial Lawyers Bar honors Kathleen Passidomo as top legislator

Palm Beach County mayor endorses Melissa McKinlay’s congressional bid

Bob Buckhorn makes centrist pitch before Capital Tiger Bay Club