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

Ryan RayApril 14, 2015

Martin School Board member Rebecca Negron has announced a run for the congressional seat vacated by Patrick Murphy, who is running for U.S. Senate. “I believe we live in a nation that, as our founding fathers intended, has given its citizens the greatest opportunities for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” said Negron, wife of state Sen. Joe […]

Ryan RayApril 13, 2015

Former Charlie Crist for Governor digital director Amanda Litman is heading to Hillaryworld as the Democratic field’s only real contender kicks off her campaign today in Iowa, Clinton’s 2008 Waterloo. Litman has been selected as the Clinton 2016 presidential campaign’s email director, giving her the chance to put into practice her confident remarks at the end of […]

Ryan RayApril 13, 2015

A bill to continue Great Recession-era relief to homebuilders and bulk buyers of bank-owned condominiums was approved in House Finance & Tax during a Monday afternoon meeting held specifically to consider the proposal. HB 791 sponsored by Rep. George Moraitis — the sole Republican among the Broward delegation — was the subject of a 45-minute debate period, […]

Ryan RayApril 13, 2015

Marco Rubio‘s life story has its own inherent interest to anyone who takes the time to look into his Florida Dream rise to the U.S. Senate, but the high-powered PR operations at the heart of today’s presidential campaigns can take no chances. That’s why Rubio has brought on a pair of top-shelf Republican media firms […]

Ryan RayApril 13, 2015

When Marco Rubio at long last jumps in the race tonight at Miami’s Freedom Tower it will mark the entry of the first Republican contender who could really make it to the White House in 2016, writes Harry Enten of FiveThirtyEight. Why, you might ask? Rubio is both electable and conservative, and in optimal proportions. He’s in a position to satisfy […]

Ryan RayApril 12, 2015

Ahead of the 2015 Legislative Session, one of the most intriguing legislative food fights brewing was that between major tobacco manufacturers seeking to limit payouts to claimants suing them under the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement and the trial attorneys who stand to gain substantially from pursuing those claims. The Florida Justice Association, those attorneys’ primary influence […]

Ryan RayApril 12, 2015

Fresh off easy general election victories in special elections to fill vacancies left in the wake of former Sen. John Thrasher‘s move from the Legislature to the helm of Florida State University, three newly minted legislators representing the northeastern corner of Florida received their committee assignments this week. Sen. Travis Hutson of Elkton, who replaced Thrasher in Senate […]

Ryan RayApril 12, 2015

A proposal to allow grocers and big-box retailers to sell hard liquor in the same store as more wholesome wares lives on, Rep. Greg Steube said Friday. The Sarasota Republican’s HB 107 was pulled from consideration during week six of this year’s lawmaking Session after intense pushback from public health advocates and liquor store industry lobbyists, […]

Ryan RayApril 11, 2015

Cuba may be a tiny island nation, but it’s hard to overstate the outsize influence U.S. national diplomacy efforts there will have on the White House aspirations of Marco Rubio, writes Caitlin Huey-Burns of RealClearPolitics: The Florida senator and son of Cuban parents will announce his campaign at Miami’s historic Freedom Tower, considered the “Ellis Island” […]

Ryan RayApril 11, 2015

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee put first-term Congressman Carlos Curbelo on notice Friday, predicting he will be a “One-Term-Wonder” in his highly competitive South Florida U.S. House seat. Specifically, the DCCC called out the Miami Republican for keeping a $10,000 contribution in soft money from his disgraced former House colleague Aaron Schock, who resigned in March following […]

Ryan Ray
Rey Valdes is no 'puppet,' so he quit. Image via Doral Family Journal.

Rebecca Negron running for Congress in District 18

Political veteran Amanda Litman to be Hillary Clinton 2016 email director

Condo bill passes House Finance & Tax on party-line vote

Poolhouse ad agency gears up to frame story of Marco Rubio

FiveThirtyEight: With Marco Rubio in, 2016 GOP race gets real

Support for Big Tobacco claims reform snuffed out as Florida Justice pivots

New NE Florida lawmakers receive committee assignments

Greg Steube’s “whiskey and Wheaties” bill re-emerges in House

Timing of Cuba talks crucial to Marco Rubio’s presidential ambitions

Nat’l Democrats take aim at Carlos Curbelo