The first official candidate for Chief Financial Officer of Florida is Broward Democrat, Sen. Jeremy Ring.
Now that current CFO Jeff Atwater is stepping away early from his post as Florida’s CFO, the seat is wide opened. Atwater’s term should have ended in 2018 but he’s leaving to be the new leader at a Florida university.
Ring is the only name so far for the race and there’s not much word on any other candidates.
In the meantime, Governor Rick Scott has yet to name an interim CFO for the last 18 months until a new bean counter can be elected. Possibilities of the replacement include former lawmaker Pat Neal, Sen. Tom Lee and Rep. Joe Gruters.
Not only is Ring a former Florida lawmaker, he’s also a founding member of Yahoo.
“I understand the business aspect I’m sure as well as anybody that can run for that seat,” said Ring.
Ring says as CFO he’s going to work and fight for a stronger Florida economy. He says this can be done with more venture capital initiatives and increasing business deals with Central and South America.
At the end of 2015, public records indicated Ring’s net worth as more than $12 million.