Leela Gray continues to stack up Democratic support for her campaign for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, this time earning an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel.
Frankel, a Palm Beach County Democrat representing Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, cited Gray’s military service, working-family background and record of public service as reasons for the support.
“I am proud to endorse Leela Gray for Congress because she understands the struggles of working families — not from a textbook, but from a lifetime of hard work, service, and sacrifice,” Frankel said. “As a working mom, veteran, and proven leader who served our nation for 30 years in uniform and fought for veterans and economic opportunity here at home, Leela has the grit, experience, and heart to deliver for the people of Pinellas County.”
Gray said she is honored to have Frankel’s support, highlighting her work on behalf of families and women in public life. Frankel is co-Chair of the House Democratic Women’s Caucus.
“Congresswoman Frankel has spent her career delivering for working families and fighting for women to have a seat at the table,” Gray said. “She knows what real leadership looks like, and she sees it in this campaign. I don’t take that lightly. I look forward to working alongside her to actually fight for the hard-working people of Pinellas County.”
A lawyer and third-generation veteran, Gray spent more than 30 years in uniform, including two combat deployments and a peacekeeping mission. She retired in 2018 as Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Central and later advised U.S. Army Cyber Command on national cyber policy modernization.
After retiring from the military, Gray served on nonprofit and private sector advisory boards and earned her law degree with a focus on helping veterans access healthcare and other benefits. She and her husband, Tony, have lived in the Tampa Bay area for more than 20 years.
Frankel joins a growing coalition of community leaders and national organizations that are supporting Gray’s campaign. Gray has also been endorsed by the Florida AFL-CIO, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, former state Rep. Ben Diamond, Ruth’s List founder Alex Sink, fellow veterans and U.S. Reps. Jason Crow, Ted Lieu and Pat Ryan, Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub, EMILY’s List, New Politics, and VoteVets.
Gray faces fellow Democrats John William Liccione and Brandt Robinson in the Aug. 18 Primary, while incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is uncontested for the Republican nomination. No-party candidate Tony D’Arrigo also qualified for the race.
