Leon County Democratic Party Executive Committee Chair Ryan Ray was reelected unopposed to the role at a virtual meeting of local Democrats Monday night.
A few moderate and conservative Democrats were critical of Ray in the weeks leading up to the meeting, accusing him of taking sides on local Democrat on Democrat races this election cycle. But none of their concerns were enough to get anyone to oppose him.
Leon County was one of six Florida counties to vote blue during the 2024 election. Ray told WFSU the support he received is an endorsement of the job he has done.
“As you know, there was some tension, there was some effort to make my leadership of the party controversial, but I think that the people who are really involved and engaged in this process showed, without a shadow of a doubt, that they believe in our approach. Very, very excited for that, very humbled and very much looking forward to continuing to advance Democratic values in Leon County,” he said.
Ray also endorsed the other 11 Leon executive committee and state committee person roles that were voted on that night. No one challenged people he supported.
Included in those new local party officials is Ray’s boss, Tallahassee City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow and State Representative Gallop Franklin. Both elected officials were selected as state committeemen.
Full disclosure, Ray’s girlfriend and WFSU Education department employee Ryann Lynn was also elected to a state committeewoman role.
This is the full list of the results:
Chair: Ryan Ray
Vice Chair: Katrina Rivers
Treasurer: Andy Janecek
Recording Secretary: Ian Waldick
Corresponding Secretary: Susie Caplowe
State Committeeman 1: John Hedrick
State Committeeman 2: Commissioner Jeremy Matlow
State Committeeman 3: State Rep. Gallop Franklin
State Committeewoman 1: Dr. Marsha Turner
State Committeewoman 2: Savannah Atkins
State Committeewoman 3: Dr. Patty Ball Thomas
State Committeewoman 4: Ryann Lynn
