Rudy Ferguson Defends Law Enforcement, Asked to Leave Democratic Party by DEC Chairman, Ryan Ray

Rudy Ferguson, a candidate for Tallahassee City Commission and challenger to Commissioner Jack Porter, filed a complaint with the Florida Democratic Party accusing officials with the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee (LDEC) – including Chairman Ryan Ray – of siding against him in the Porter race.

In addition, the complaint documents that Ray asked Ferguson to leave the party after Ferguson defended law enforcement in a campaign newsletter.

Ray serves as aide to City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow and was elected in late 2022 as chair of the DEC.

The complaint is based, in part, on a story that TR broke related to a social media post emphasized by the LCDEC that stated “U.S is a Fascist Police State….”

Ferguson responded to the message in a campaign newsletter, stating, in part, “as a Democratic candidate running for a local office, I do not agree, nor do I align with this message…..These divisive rhetorics are unproductive.”

Ferguson’s full message is provided below.

In response, LCDEC Chairman Ryan Ray asked Ferguson to leave the Democratic Party. Ray posted on social media, “I would like to ask you to leave the Democratic Party if you’re going to criticize us.”

Ray’s tweet is provided below.

The Complaint

The 13-page complaint details allegations that Ryan Ray and other Democratic Party officials are helping the Jack Porter campaign in violation of Florida Democratic Party bylaws.

The Florida Democratic Party’s 2022 bylaws has a provision which prohibits endorsements in primary elections and defines an endorsement “as “endorsing, certifying, screening, or recommending, in any manner, candidates in primary elections.”

The complaint includes social media posts to support the allegations of bias and also provides campaign donation records that show local party officials supporting Porter.