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

Ryan RayApril 14, 2016

Democrat Crystal Lucas landed a prominent supporter’s backing on Thursday, announcing the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy. Lucas, a teacher and environmental activist from Stuart, is challenging third-term Republican Rep. Gayle Harrell in HD 83, a moderate swing seat that could go Democratic in a 2016 presidential cycle. Murphy said Lucas was the right woman for the job […]

Ryan RayApril 13, 2016

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A Panama City Beach mayoral election took a bizarre turn on Tuesday, when 30-year-old candidate Calvin Finnegan Chester released a video via Facebook responding to what he called “campaign slander” related to two past arrests. Chester said rumors circulating about his arrests misrepresent his actions on two occasions — one involving an obscene gesture at a pair […]

Ryan RayApril 13, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham cited Zika virus research from Tallahassee’s Florida State University on the floor of the U.S. House on Tuesday, as she called on Congress to provide increased funding for Zika research and prevention. Graham said Zika “poses a great threat to our country, especially to my home state of Florida.” “There have already been […]

Ryan RayApril 12, 2016

Ramon Alexander continued to lead the way in fundraising last month in House District 8, bringing in $14,045 to his campaign coffers during the March reporting period. The mark is good for Alexander’s second-best month since filing for the seat, bringing the non-profit leader to $143,636 raised overall with some $129,037 remaining on hand. Brad Johnson, […]

Ryan RayApril 12, 2016

The House will formally designate Speaker-to-be Rep. Richard Corcoran and President-to-be Sen. Joe Negron as head of their respective chambers in an organizational meeting on November 22, according to a LobbyTools Legislative IQ bulletin. Lawmakers will meet in Tallahassee to affirm their already-settled choices in presiding officers. First, of course, both must win reelection to their seats, a feat […]

Ryan RayApril 12, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott made progress on cleaning his post-Legislative Session plate on Tuesday, signing into law a bill to require life insurance policies to notify beneficiaries when a deceased policyholder has died. The bill – SB 966 by Republican Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto – was approved with no opposition by lawmakers on March 10. It requires insurers to use master death lists they […]

Ryan RayApril 12, 2016

Consumers for Smart Solar kicked-off a new phase of its effort to pass a solar energy amendment to the state constitution at a press conference Tuesday. The campaign was once seen as merely a foil for a rival amendment, pitched by environmental groups like the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. That initiative ran out of gas when it […]

Ryan RayApril 11, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham‘s ever-busy comms shop released a new video Monday reviewing the congresswoman’s recent trip to Wakulla Springs, an ecologically sensitive tourist attraction and environmental linchpin for North Florida. Graham piloted a boat, took samples of the now-murky spring water, and spoke with local activists who are pushing for action to restore the springs and […]

Ryan RayApril 11, 2016

Republican Reps. Ritch Workman and Debbie Mayfield put up middling fundraising numbers in a March reporting period shortened by a prohibition on accepting contributions during the 2016 Legislative Session, which ended March 11. Workman, who represents Melbourne in House District 52, reported raising just $5,000 while spending $10,459. Mayfield, from Vero Beach-based HD 54, reported raising $2,075 and spending […]

Ryan RayApril 11, 2016

Rep. Frank Artiles has quickly raised hefty campaign account in his bid against incumbent Democrat Sen. Dwight Bullard last month. The Miami Republican brought in $209,669 during the month of March, despite a prohibition on fundraising during the Legislative Session that ended March 11. Bullard had not reported his most recent totals as of Monday afternoon, but has […]

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

Patrick Murphy endorses Crystal Lucas in HD 83

Panama City Beach mayoral candidate acknowledges past arrests, but denies wrongdoing

Gwen Graham cites FSU Zika research amid call for Congress to act on funding

Ramon Alexander hauls in $14K in HD 8 race

House, Senate set to designate Joe Negron, Richard Corcoran leaders in November

Rick Scott signs unclaimed life insurance policies bill into law

“Consumers for Smart Solar” launches new phase of ballot initiative campaign

Gwen Graham releases video from Wakulla Springs workday

Debbie Mayfield, Ritch Workman post ho-hum March fundraising figures in SD 17 race

Frank Artiles tops $209K in 15 days in challenge to Dwight Bullard