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

Ryan RayFebruary 3, 2015

With Mitt Romney out and Hillary Clinton looking like the most prohibitive primary favorite in recent memory, Jeb Bush’s top campaign aide roles have become key elements of the 2016 speculative fray. Former press secretary to Dick Cheney and Republican political consultant Juleanna Glovere reasons that the former Florida governor is likely to pick women to fill top leadership […]

Ryan RayFebruary 3, 2015

With Mitt Romney out and Hillary Clinton looking like the most prohibitive primary favorite in recent memory, Jeb Bush’s top campaign aide roles have become key elements of the 2016 speculative fray. Former press secretary to Dick Cheney and Republican political consultant Juleanna Glovere reasons that the former Florida governor is likely to pick women to fill top leadership […]

Ryan RayFebruary 3, 2015

With Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner set to term out in 2016, two Tampa Bay area Democrats are now gearing up for what should be an intriguing Democratic primary to succeed her, according to the Florida Division of Elections. St. Petersburg Rep. Darryl Rouson and former Tampa Rep. Betty Reed both opened campaign accounts for the stalwart Joyner’s […]

Ryan RayFebruary 3, 2015

With Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner set to term out in 2016, two Tampa Bay area Democrats are now gearing up for what should be an intriguing Democratic primary to succeed her, according to the Florida Division of Elections. St. Petersburg Rep. Darryl Rouson and former Tampa Rep. Betty Reed both opened campaign accounts for the stalwart Joyner’s […]

Ryan RayFebruary 2, 2015

What a tangled web we weave when we practice to achieve (even admirable) public policy goals via constitutional amendment. That sums up the current state of affairs for presumably millions of Florida voters who support both Amendment 1’s expansion of funding for water and land conservation and affordable housing programs like the Sadowski housing trust fund, says […]

Ryan RayJanuary 30, 2015

So far, an issue with the City of Tallahassee’s request for proposal process regarding an important city function is no closer to being resolved than when we first reported on it earlier this month. Rumblings continue in the wake of the city’s transfer of its $500 million in retirement funds to the stewardship of Great West […]

Ryan RayJanuary 29, 2015

Patrick Murphy raised more than half a million dollars in campaign cash in the final quarter of 2014, according to recently-released campaign finance reports. The Palm Beach congressman — recently the subject of rumors about statewide candidacies — has hit the $500,000 mark in eight consecutive quarters, unusual for a relatively junior House Democrat. Murphy’s […]

Ryan RayJanuary 29, 2015

Republican state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto of Ft. Myers has filed legislation to change course in a difficult area of state law — the legal status of child abuse evidence recorded unbeknownst to the abuser. A recent Florida Supreme Court opinion overruled the conviction of a Lee County man found guilty of sexually abusing his stepdaughter, finding that […]

Ryan RayJanuary 28, 2015

David Santiago is set to hold a downtown Tallahassee fundraiser during the penultimate week of pre-session committee hearings next month. Co-hosting at the swanky Florida Realtors Conference Room will be Speaker Steve Crisafulli, Pasco state Rep. Richard Corcoran and state Rep. Jose Oliva of Miami Lakes. All three are among the heaviest hitters in the Legislature […]

Ryan RayJanuary 28, 2015

Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner was the first elected official to take the podium at the 2015 Associated Press Legislative Planning Session, and she wasted little time making hay out of Gov. Rick Scott‘s recent issues with appearing to overreach its boundaries. “Hubris appears to be the organizing principle of our executive branch,” said Joyner, the […]

Ryan Ray
Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of providing emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief efforts.

Jeb Bush: a GOP woman’s best friend

Jeb Bush: a GOP woman's best friend

Darryl Rouson, Betty Reed file for term-limited Arthenia Joyner's Senate seat

Darryl Rouson, Betty Reed file for term-limited Arthenia Joyner’s Senate seat

Troubled waters for housing advocates, Senate environmental committee chair

Still no answers in Tallahassee retirement RFP controversy

Patrick Murphy has added $530,000 since November

Lizbeth Benacquisto introduces bill to tweak evidence standards in child abuse cases

Speaker Crisafulli among GOP House leaders to host David Santiago fundraiser

Arthenia Joyner rips Scott administration's 'hubris' at APFL conference