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

Ryan RayApril 20, 2016

A new study out Wednesday shows serious problems with dozens of city and county pension programs around the state. The LeRoy Collins Institute report, called “The Financial Challenges of Retiree Healthcare Subsidies in Florida Cities and Counties,” showed that out of more than 150 of the largest local governmental pension programs, Eight percent of all […]

Ryan RayApril 19, 2016

Rep. Mike Hill declared he will run for the Florida Senate in 2016 on Tuesday. The Pensacola Republican announced the move to leave his House District 2 seat he and run for the Senate seat abdicated by Sen. Greg Evers on the Burnie Thompson Show, a conservative talk radio program. Evers, in turn, announced Monday he will run for Congress. The move is […]

Ryan RayApril 19, 2016

It’s a crowded GOP field in the 2nd Congressional District, but so far there’s only candidate on the ballot. Republican Neal Dunn announced Tuesday his campaign is the first in the race for the newly redrawn CD 2 to qualify via petition, securing the necessary 2,298 verified signatures. The Panama City urological surgeon’s campaign said they received petitions […]

Ryan RayApril 19, 2016

The Northwest Florida chain reaction started by U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller‘s decision to retire from Congress continued apace on Tuesday. Gulf Breeze Rep. Doug Broxson has announced a run for the state Senate, seeking to replace Sen. Greg Evers – who announced Monday he will run for Miller’s seat against Rep. Matt Gaetz – in staunchly conservative SD 1. Broxson’s campaign touted […]

Ryan RayApril 19, 2016

Democratic attorney and activist Emily Slosberg is dropping her Senate bid in SD 30, she announced Tuesday. But Slosberg is only pushing the pause button on her political ambitions. “I am withdrawing my name for State Senate District 30. I will be running for the District 91 State House seat when my father retires in 2018,” said the younger […]

Ryan RayApril 19, 2016

Congressional hopeful Mary Thomas has won the endorsement of a conservative group whose very name evokes modern-day campaign finance. Citizens United PAC – a political committee affiliated with the better-known Citzens United –weighed in the Republican primary in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District on behalf of Thomas on Tuesday. Citizens United President David Bossie said Thomas, an Indian-American and former […]

Ryan RayApril 18, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham said she is disappointed in Monday’s district to uphold redrawn U.S. House maps. Graham responded to news that a federal panel struck down objections to a recent redistricting decision filed by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown who, like Graham, will now see radical changes to her congressional district. “I’m disappointed the Second Congressional District will […]

Ryan RayApril 18, 2016

When U.S. Senate candidate Carlos Beruff stopped by the state capital on Monday, he mostly kept it personal. The Manatee homebuilder and close political ally of Gov. Rick Scott spoke to reporters before a brief appearance at the Republican Women’s Club of Tallahassee, but didn’t say much beyond the standard GOP boilerplate. Perhaps that’s to be expected in a tight […]

Ryan RayApril 18, 2016

Sen. Greg Evers is running for Florida’s 1st Congressional District seat left vacant by retiring U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller. Evers filed his candidacy paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Monday. He had made a formal announcement in Milton. Evers’ move to jump into the race for the deep-red Northwest Florida seat sets up a contentious GOP […]

Ryan RayApril 14, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham defended extended benefits given to veterans under the so-called Post-9/11 GI Bill in a rally with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and allied veterans groups Thursday afternoon in Washington, D.C. The first-term Democrat from Tallahassee said the bill’s enhanced educational and career benefits should not be sacrificed in favor of cost-cutting measures floated […]

Ryan Ray
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

Study: Local Florida pension funds still in trouble

Mike Hill announces Senate bid in SD 1

Neal Dunn qualifies by petition for CD 2 ballot

Doug Broxson announces 2016 Senate run in SD 1

Emily Slosberg to drop Senate bid, run for House in 2018

Mary Thomas scores Citizens United PAC endorsement

Gwen Graham “disappointed” by redistricting decision

Carlos Beruff coy on 2016 presidential support in Tallahassee visit

Greg Evers launches congressional bid in CD 1, will challenge Matt Gaetz

Gwen Graham defends post-9/11 GI Bill in Washington