Lake Ray
Lake Ray (born October 4, 1956) is a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 12th District, which includes parts of downtown Jacksonville in Duval County, since 2012, and previously representing the 17th District from 2008 to 2012.
Lake Ray | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 12th district | |
| In office November 20, 2012 – November 8, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Janet H. Adkins |
| Succeeded by | Clay Yarborough |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 17th district | |
| In office November 18, 2008 – November 20, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Stan Jordan |
| Succeeded by | Ronald Renuart |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 4, 1956 Jacksonville, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Brenda |
| Children | Lake IV, Forrest, Hampton |
| Alma mater | St. Johns River State College (A.A.) University of Florida (B.S.) |
| Profession | Engineer |
Early life and education
Ray was born in Jacksonville, and was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America while in high school. He graduated from St. Johns River State College with an associate degree in 1976. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1981 and was a member of Delta Upsilon.
Career
Following his college graduation, Ray worked as an engineer, eventually becoming President of the First Coast Manufacturers Association. He was elected to the Jacksonville City Council and served from 1999 to 2007.
Florida House of Representatives
When incumbent State Representative Stan Jordan was unable to seek re-election in 2008, Adkins ran to succeed him in District 17, which included northeastern Duval County. He faced Mario Rubio and Gordon Morgan in the Republican primary, easily defeating both of them with 52% of the vote. In the general election, Ray faced Regina Young, the Democratic nominee and a minister. The Florida Times-Union endorsed Ray, praising him for his "solid experience in public affairs and...good track record for responding to his constituents."[1] He was able to defeat Young easily, winning with 64% of the vote, and was re-elected without opposition in 2010.
When districts were reconfigured in 2012, Ray was drawn into the 12th District, which included much of the territory that he had represented in the 17th District. He won his party's nomination unopposed and encountered Green Party nominee Karen Morian, a humanities professor, his only opposition in the general election. Ray emphasized his experience in Tallahassee and pledged to work to "bring jobs to JaxPort and broaden the economic opportunities around the region and state."[2] He ended up defeating Morian in a landslide, winning 68% of the vote to Morian's 32%.
2016 presidential election
On May 4, 2016, Ray endorsed Donald Trump, stating: "It is very obvious as to where we are and that the voices of the people have been heard. As an individual, and even in my elected office, yes I am fully ready to embrace the candidacy of Donald Trump."
References
- "Florida House-District 17: Ray gets the nod". Florida Times-Union. October 25, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
- Schoettler, Jim (October 23, 2012). "Lake Ray and Karen Morian face off for District 12 house seat". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
