This profile is included in the current election view, based on the official candidate list checked September 13, 2026. Current election · Primary archive · Official candidate list ↗
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U.S. House District 13
2026 Florida U.S. House District 13 — General Election · November 3, 2026
Current post-primary status comes from Florida’s candidate list. Final ballot placement is subject to the county’s official ballot. All published research retains its source evidence.
Last reviewed September 15, 2026Leela Gray is a former member of the United States Army and Army Reserve. Use of her military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or Department of Defense.
Policy statements from campaign-controlled sources are labeled candidate positions; they are not independently presented as proven outcomes.
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August 18, 2026
Democratic Ballot
Representative in Congress
District 13
Brandt Robinson
John William Liccione
Leela Gray
Only contact details published in official filing records, FEC filings, or a verified candidate-owned source with retained exact evidence appear here.
Post Office Box 40162 · St. Petersburg, FL 33743
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Post Office Box 40162
St. Petersburg, FL 33743
Phone: (650)554-1476
Post Office Box 40162
St. Petersburg, FL 33743
Phone: (650)554-1476
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FEC committee ID: C00937441
FEC committee name: LEELA J GRAY FOR CONGRESS INC
Published email: [email protected]
Published website: https://leelagray.com/
Publication here means only that the contact detail appeared in the cited filing. It is not an endorsement, and older filings may remain visible until an amended official record is captured.
Verified records and candidate-provided claims are labeled separately.
Leela Gray is a former member of the United States Army and Army Reserve. Use of her military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or Department of Defense.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
Leela Gray is a former member of the United States Army and Army Reserve. Use of her military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or Department of Defense.
For me, being the first in my family to go to college opened doors of opportunity to serve my community. Starting my junior year, the Army ROTC at Elon University gave me the opportunity to help pay my tuition. I fell in love with the Army as a cadet at Fort Knox, firing a 50-caliber machine gun at old beat-up tanks.
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For me, being the first in my family to go to college opened doors of opportunity to serve my community. Starting my junior year, the Army ROTC at Elon University gave me the opportunity to help pay my tuition. I fell in love with the Army as a cadet at Fort Knox, firing a 50-caliber machine gun at old beat-up tanks.
Hard work gave me the opportunity to rise through the ranks of the Army, serving as a commander in Alabama, Indiana, New York, and Wisconsin. Leading soldiers from so many regions and cultures gave me a deep understanding of how to work with people different from me and earn their respect.
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Hard work gave me the opportunity to rise through the ranks of the Army, serving as a commander in Alabama, Indiana, New York, and Wisconsin. Leading soldiers from so many regions and cultures gave me a deep understanding of how to work with people different from me and earn their respect.
After a decade of active duty, I entered the Army Reserve. When serving in the Reserve, I also had a full-time civilian job. For me, it was a career in start-up technology and communications. I grew businesses, managed budgets, and solved problems that other people couldn’t.
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After a decade of active duty, I entered the Army Reserve. When serving in the Reserve, I also had a full-time civilian job. For me, it was a career in start-up technology and communications. I grew businesses, managed budgets, and solved problems that other people couldn’t.
In 2014 and 2015, while working at the State Department, I collaborated to create new initiatives to take down terrorists’ narratives — propaganda that could be used to radicalize and recruit others to attack the United States — with strategic partnerships between the U.S. and countries around the world. In 2019, I served as a strategic advisor to the United States Army Cyber Command.
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In 2014 and 2015, while working at the State Department, I collaborated to create new initiatives to take down terrorists’ narratives — propaganda that could be used to radicalize and recruit others to attack the United States — with strategic partnerships between the U.S. and countries around the world. In 2019, I served as a strategic advisor to the United States Army Cyber Command.
In the private sector, I held roles at a technology startup and other companies. In the community, I mentor startup founders at a tech accelerator and engage in veteran advocacy. I even co-created a local Tampa Bay TV show called “Veteran Strong” to showcase the value that veterans bring to the business community. My goal was to encourage local businesses to hire veterans for their wealth of skills and experience. I even went to law school and learned to help veterans access health care and other critical benefits.
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In the private sector, I held roles at a technology startup and other companies. In the community, I mentor startup founders at a tech accelerator and engage in veteran advocacy. I even co-created a local Tampa Bay TV show called “Veteran Strong” to showcase the value that veterans bring to the business community. My goal was to encourage local businesses to hire veterans for their wealth of skills and experience. I even went to law school and learned to help veterans access health care and other critical benefits.
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Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Elon University in North Carolina Master’s degree in Journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida
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Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Elon University in North Carolina Master’s degree in Journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida
Lynchburg, VA
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Lynchburg, VA
Pinellas
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Pinellas
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Each summary is supported by the candidate's own words from a campaign source, direct candidate response, or official primary record retained with the profile.
My husband and I have lived in the Tampa Bay area for more than 20 years. We raised our daughter here. Now, I’m running for Congress to fight for the people in Pinellas County, Florida who work hard but see the doors of opportunity closing. I love my country and Florida, and I know that using my grit, determination, and hard work, we can turn things around.
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My husband and I have lived in the Tampa Bay area for more than 20 years. We raised our daughter here. Now, I’m running for Congress to fight for the people in Pinellas County, Florida who work hard but see the doors of opportunity closing. I love my country and Florida, and I know that using my grit, determination, and hard work, we can turn things around.
We are stronger together and together we will win!
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We are stronger together and together we will win!
Protecting our Beaches, Land, and Coastal Economy
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Protecting our Beaches, Land, and Coastal Economy
Growing Economic Opportunities
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Growing Economic Opportunities
Our immigration system is broken because politicians choose partisanship over solutions. Immigrants are vital to our heritage and economy — many have lived here for decades, paying taxes, and supporting the businesses that form Florida's backbone. In Congress, I’ll push for immigration reform that secures our borders and treats immigrants with dignity. The Trump administration’s approach to immigration is not only cruel, but lacks accountability and transparency, and in Congress, I will fight to restore humanity, common sense, and responsibility to the system for the American people.
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Our immigration system is broken because politicians choose partisanship over solutions. Immigrants are vital to our heritage and economy — many have lived here for decades, paying taxes, and supporting the businesses that form Florida's backbone. In Congress, I’ll push for immigration reform that secures our borders and treats immigrants with dignity. The Trump administration’s approach to immigration is not only cruel, but lacks accountability and transparency, and in Congress, I will fight to restore humanity, common sense, and responsibility to the system for the American people.
In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton wreaked catastrophic damage on Florida’s 13th district. Two years later, our neighbors and small businesses are still rebuilding while navigating skyrocketing utilities and tripled property insurance rates. As a coastal community on the front lines, we see that climate change is an immediate economic threat. We must combat this crisis by growing our clean-energy economy and rewarding American businesses that innovate in clean energy technology and resilient infrastructure. As a retired Brigadier General, I also believe climate change poses a serious risk to our national security. We need a strategy that ensures energy diversity and reduces the threat to our environment. We cannot afford the cost of inaction.
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In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton wreaked catastrophic damage on Florida’s 13th district. Two years later, our neighbors and small businesses are still rebuilding while navigating skyrocketing utilities and tripled property insurance rates. As a coastal community on the front lines, we see that climate change is an immediate economic threat. We must combat this crisis by growing our clean-energy economy and rewarding American businesses that innovate in clean energy technology and resilient infrastructure. As a retired Brigadier General, I also believe climate change poses a serious risk to our national security. We need a strategy that ensures energy diversity and reduces the threat to our environment. We cannot afford the cost of inaction.
In Congress, I will tackle the cost-of-living crisis by taking on corporations and insurance monopolies driving up homeowners, flood, and health premiums, and passing a real middle-class tax cut. I will also fight to restore integrity, transparency, and accountability to our government by prosecuting corruption. I will lead to build consensus, rather than engage in partisan politics, to solve our most pressing problems.
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In Congress, I will tackle the cost-of-living crisis by taking on corporations and insurance monopolies driving up homeowners, flood, and health premiums, and passing a real middle-class tax cut. I will also fight to restore integrity, transparency, and accountability to our government by prosecuting corruption. I will lead to build consensus, rather than engage in partisan politics, to solve our most pressing problems.
I spent 30 years in uniform fighting for our Constitution and the freedoms it bestows on the American people. The freedom to speak out and to make our voices heard by our leaders and our fellow citizens is the bedrock of our democracy. It is what makes America unique, resilient, and the greatest force for liberty in the world. It is what differentiates us from the tyrants and authoritarian adversaries, and it is what truly makes all citizens equal. In our great republic, no Americans’ voice is more important than the next. As I have throughout my life, I will always fight to protect our freedom of speech.
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I spent 30 years in uniform fighting for our Constitution and the freedoms it bestows on the American people. The freedom to speak out and to make our voices heard by our leaders and our fellow citizens is the bedrock of our democracy. It is what makes America unique, resilient, and the greatest force for liberty in the world. It is what differentiates us from the tyrants and authoritarian adversaries, and it is what truly makes all citizens equal. In our great republic, no Americans’ voice is more important than the next. As I have throughout my life, I will always fight to protect our freedom of speech.
It is the Executive Branch’s role to execute the laws and manage the federal agencies. It is Congress' constitutional responsibility to fund the government and provide oversight to ensure the funding is being properly used and the laws are being executed. This Congress, including FL-13’s current representative, has failed to provide that crucial check and balance to the Executive Branch. We must require oversight that creates transparency and accountability for all agency action, including spending, rulemaking, policy implementation, and federal overreach.
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It is the Executive Branch’s role to execute the laws and manage the federal agencies. It is Congress' constitutional responsibility to fund the government and provide oversight to ensure the funding is being properly used and the laws are being executed. This Congress, including FL-13’s current representative, has failed to provide that crucial check and balance to the Executive Branch. We must require oversight that creates transparency and accountability for all agency action, including spending, rulemaking, policy implementation, and federal overreach.
Laws requiring documentary proof of US citizenship for voting burden married women who change their last name, people of color, and service members. Passports are prohibitively expensive, so in Congress, I would push for a federal framework that allows for a wide range of secondary documents to be able to vote, including military IDs, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and divorce documentation. I would push for a federal law that requires states and municipalities to waive all fees for records if the applicant declares it is for voter registration purposes. Nine percent of all Americans do not have access to their birth certificate so any laws requiring proof of citizenship should mandate a provision to allow those people to register without undue burdens in their registration process. We should direct federal and/or state funding for the creation of a plan such as mobile units sent to communities to assist anyone that does not have access to their documents or needs help.
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Laws requiring documentary proof of US citizenship for voting burden married women who change their last name, people of color, and service members. Passports are prohibitively expensive, so in Congress, I would push for a federal framework that allows for a wide range of secondary documents to be able to vote, including military IDs, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and divorce documentation. I would push for a federal law that requires states and municipalities to waive all fees for records if the applicant declares it is for voter registration purposes. Nine percent of all Americans do not have access to their birth certificate so any laws requiring proof of citizenship should mandate a provision to allow those people to register without undue burdens in their registration process. We should direct federal and/or state funding for the creation of a plan such as mobile units sent to communities to assist anyone that does not have access to their documents or needs help.
President Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education is a direct attack on public education in America. In Congress, I’ll fight to restore funding for K-12 public education, work to pay educators a fair, livable salary, and invest in apprenticeship and trade programs for high school students and graduates, so they can graduate with the skills to compete in today’s economy.
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President Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education is a direct attack on public education in America. In Congress, I’ll fight to restore funding for K-12 public education, work to pay educators a fair, livable salary, and invest in apprenticeship and trade programs for high school students and graduates, so they can graduate with the skills to compete in today’s economy.
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FEC candidate totals February 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026.
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Candidate ID: H6FL13312
Name: GRAY, LEELA J
Office: House
State: FL
District: FL13
Coverage start: 2026-02-01
Coverage end: 2026-06-30
Total receipts: $1084672.23
Total disbursements: $319529.59
Cash on hand: $765142.64
Debts owed by committee: $7000.00
Candidate contributions: $0.00
Loans made by candidate: $7000.00
Every profile claim points back to retained source evidence.
Florida Division of Elections
Open Florida Division of ElectionsLink checked September 14, 2026.
Federal Election Commission
Open Federal Election CommissionLink checked September 14, 2026.
Federal Election Commission
Open Federal Election CommissionLink checked September 14, 2026.
County Supervisor of Elections
Open County Supervisor of ElectionsLink checked September 14, 2026.
Leela Gray campaign
Open Leela Gray campaignLink checked September 14, 2026.
Leela Gray campaign
Open Leela Gray campaignLink checked September 14, 2026.
Leela Gray campaign
Open Leela Gray campaignLink checked September 14, 2026.
VOTE411
Open VOTE411Link checked September 14, 2026.