Leela
Gray
Retired Army Brigadier General Leela Gray challenges Rep. Anna Paulina Luna in Florida's 13th District
- sources
- 19
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 42
Background
Leela Gray is the 2026 Democratic candidate for Florida's 13th Congressional District, challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Anna Paulina Luna in the November 3, 2026 general election. A retired U.S. Army brigadier general, she served 30 years in the Army and Army Reserve and grew up in rural Virginia near Lynchburg before settling in the Tampa Bay area, where she and her husband have lived for more than 20 years. [sources: 10, 13, 23]
Gray earned a law degree from Stetson University College of Law and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, having begun her military career through Army ROTC at Elon University. Her civilian career has included work in technology and communications, a State Department assignment in 2014–2015, service as a strategic adviser to U.S. Army Cyber Command in 2019, and subsequent veterans-advocacy and mentoring work. [sources: 12, 13]
She holds no prior elected office. Multiple race-rating outlets shifted their assessments of FL-13 in Gray's direction during the 2026 cycle, and she received endorsements from organizations including VoteVets, MoveOn, and New Politics. The Tampa Bay Times editorial board recommended her for the seat in October 2026. [sources: 2, 6, 7, 9, 11, 20, 26]
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 13, Florida
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- 2026 Democratic Candidate for Florida's 13th Congressional District
- Website
- leelagray.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11endorsementTampa Bay Times editorial board recommends Leela Gray for FL-13
The Tampa Bay Times editorial board recommended Gray for Florida's 13th Congressional District seat over incumbent Anna Paulina Luna.
Tampa Bay Times Recommends Leela Gray for Florida’s 13th District · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9debateGray rips Luna for avoiding debate, says she is 'too busy chasing space aliens'
Gray publicly criticized Luna for declining to participate in a televised debate, saying Luna was 'too busy chasing space aliens,' continuing her campaign's push for a head-to-head matchup.
'Too busy chasing space aliens': Gen. Leela Gray rips Rep. Luna for avoiding debate · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsGray campaign reports raising more than $1.4 million in Q3
Gray's campaign reported raising over $1.4 million in Q3, including ~$900,000 in September, from 12,667 individual contributions with nearly 83% at $100 or less. The FEC report was not yet filed; it was due October 15.
Leela Gray gets a fourth ratings shift and a $1.4M quarter. The last two Democrats to poll this well against Anna Paulina Luna lost by 9 points · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsInside Elections shifts FL-13 from Likely Republican to Lean Republican
Inside Elections updated its FL-13 rating from Likely Republican to Lean Republican as of October 1, as reported by Florida Politics on October 3. Fox News ratings also characterized the district as leaning Republican.
Leela Gray gets a fourth ratings shift and a $1.4M quarter. The last two Democrats to poll this well against Anna Paulina Luna lost by 9 points · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsGray unveils 'Cutting Costs Agenda' affordability plan
Gray released her 'Cutting Costs Agenda,' addressing ending the war in Iran, eliminating tariffs, strengthening the ACA, capping drug costs, changing taxes on wealthy Americans and corporations, protecting Medicare and Social Security, and expanding home-buying opportunities.
Leela Gray unveils affordability plan for Florida’s 13th ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25endorsementVirginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger endorses Leela Gray
Florida Politics reported that Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger endorsed Gray, describing her as running 'to continue putting service over self' and saying she would tackle costs and corruption.
Sunburn — The morning read of what's hot in Florida politics — 9.25.26 · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23newsFL-13 race ratings shift further in Gray's favor
Multiple rating outlets moved the FL-13 race toward Gray around this period, reflecting increased competitiveness against incumbent Anna Paulina Luna.
RATINGS CHANGE: FL-13 Shifted in Leela Gray's Favor Again · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16newsGray releases first general-election ad attacking Luna's 'culture of corruption'
Gray's campaign released its first general-election ad criticizing Luna over what Gray called a 'culture of corruption' and challenged Luna to a televised district debate, saying Luna should have no problem defending her record.
WATCH: Leela Gray Releases First General Election Ad Hitting ... · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 27pollHouse Majority PAC poll shows Gray ahead of Luna 51%–46%
A poll conducted August 25–27 by Hart Research Associates for House Majority PAC found Gray ahead of Luna 51%–46%. A separate polling-average source listed the figures differently (Gray 44%, Luna 43%, D'Arrigo 7%), so results are not consistent across sources.
Leela Gray gets a fourth ratings shift and a $1.4M quarter. The last two Democrats to poll this well against Anna Paulina Luna lost by 9 points · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18filingLeela Gray wins Democratic primary with 65% of the vote
Gray won the Democratic primary with 32,705 votes (65.0%), advancing to the general election against Republican incumbent Anna Paulina Luna and no-party candidate Tony D'Arrigo.
Anna Paulina Luna | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Democratic Women's Club of Florida organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Former Florida state Rep. Ben Diamond officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- UFCW Local 1625 unionListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Moms Fed Up organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan (New York) officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Whitney Fox (2024 Democratic candidate for FL-13) otherListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- EMILYs List organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Indivisible Mid-Pinellas organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- AFSCME People Committee unionListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark (Massachusetts), House Democratic Whip officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Former Florida CFO Alex Sink officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Florida Veterans for Common Sense organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Ironworkers Local 397 unionListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (Maryland) officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- MoveOn organizationLists Gray as endorsed; page updated October 6, 2026 but original endorsement date not established. front.moveon.org
- Veterans for Responsible Leadership organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Teamsters Local 79 unionListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- U.S. Rep. Jason Crow (Colorado) officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- VoteVets organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Elect Democratic Women organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- IBEW Local 915 unionListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (California) officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Blue Dog PAC organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East unionListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Engage Y'all PAC organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (Florida) officialListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Social Security Works PAC organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- UAW Region 8 unionListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Feminist Majority PAC organizationListed by the campaign; no date provided. leelagray.com
- Tampa Bay Times newspaperRecommended Gray for the FL-13 seat; recommendation appeared October 9, 2026. ground.news · Oct 9, 2026
- Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger officialEndorsed Gray; announced September 24, 2026. floridapolitics.com · Sep 24, 2026
- League of Conservation Voters Action Fund organizationAnnounced endorsement of Gray on September 24, 2026. lcv.org · Sep 24, 2026
- New Democrat Coalition Action Fund (New Dem Action Fund) organizationAnnounced endorsement on July 22, 2026. newdemactionfund.com · Jul 22, 2026
- U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (Arizona) officialListed by the campaign; announcement dated July 1, 2026. leelagray.com · Jul 1, 2026
- U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel (Florida) officialListed by the campaign; announcement dated June 30, 2026. leelagray.com · Jun 30, 2026
- Florida AFL-CIO and West Central Florida Labor Council, AFL-CIO unionEndorsed Gray; announcement dated June 17, 2026. leelagray.com · Jun 17, 2026
- New Politics organizationAnnounced endorsement on May 20, 2026. newpolitics.org · May 20, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1.22M
- Spent
- $540K
- Cash on hand
- $683K
As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL13312(opens in a new tab)
Sources 19
- [1] Tampa Bay Times Recommends Leela Gray for Florida’s 13th District(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Leela Gray (D) – FL-13 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [3] 'Too busy chasing space aliens': Gen. Leela Gray rips Rep. Luna for avoiding debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Leela Gray gets a fourth ratings shift and a $1.4M quarter. The last two Democrats to poll this well against Anna Paulina Luna lost by 9 points(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] Leela Gray unveils affordability plan for Florida’s 13th ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [6] Leela Gray unveils affordability plan for Florida's 13th Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [7] Sunburn — The morning read of what's hot in Florida politics — 9.25.26(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [8] LCV Action Fund Announces Latest Slate of Endorsements for U.S. ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [9] RATINGS CHANGE: FL-13 Shifted in Leela Gray's Favor Again(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [10] Leela Gray : MoveOn: People-Powered Progress(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [11] Anna Paulina Luna | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [12] WATCH: Leela Gray Releases First General Election Ad Hitting ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [13] NEW POLITICS ENDORSES LEELA GRAY FOR ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 18, 2026
- [14] New Dems Endorse Four Candidates in Florida, Kentucky, Colorado(opens in a new tab) Jul 22, 2026
- [15] Anti-Corruption Agenda(opens in a new tab) Jan 20, 2026
- [16] Endorsements — Leela Gray - Veteran for Florida(opens in a new tab) Jan 20, 2026
- [17] Fighting for Our Most Vulnerable - leelagray.com(opens in a new tab) Jan 20, 2026
- [18] Growing Economic Opportunities(opens in a new tab) Jan 20, 2026
- [19] Protecting our Beaches, Land, and Coastal Economy(opens in a new tab) Jan 20, 2026