Rick Gray (Arizona politician) explained
| Rick Gray |
| Office: | Majority Leader of the Arizona Senate |
| Term Start: | January 7, 2019 |
| Term End: | January 9, 2023 |
| Predecessor: | Kimberly Yee |
| Successor: | Sonny Borrelli |
| State Senate1: | Arizona |
| District1: | 21st |
| Term Start1: | January 27, 2018 |
| Term End1: | January 9, 2023 |
| Predecessor1: | Debbie Lesko |
| Successor1: | Rosanna Gabaldón |
| State House2: | Arizona |
| District2: | 21st |
| Term Start2: | January 14, 2013 |
| Term End2: | January 9, 2017 |
| Successor2: | Kevin Payne |
| State House3: | Arizona |
| District3: | 9th |
| Alongside3: | Debbie Lesko |
| Term Start3: | January 10, 2011 |
| Term End3: | January 14, 2013 |
| Predecessor3: | Rick Murphy |
| Successor3: | ??? |
| Birth Place: | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Party: | Republican |
| Education: | Grace University (BS) |
Rick Gray (born in Omaha, Nebraska)[1] is an American politician and former member of the Arizona Senate as well as a former Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives representing District 21. Gray previously served consecutively from January 10, 2011, until January 14, 2013, in the District 9 seat. In 2016, Gray ran for the ⠀⠀Arizona Corporation Commission⠀seat Arizona Corporation Commission but placed fourth in the Republican primary. In 2018, Gray was appointed to fill the Arizona State Senate seat vacated by Debbie Lesko after she resigned to run for Congress.[2] Gray would leave office on January 9, 2023.
Early life and education
Gray was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska.[3] He earned his Bachelor of Science with a dual major in Organizational Leadership and Biblical Studies from Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska.[4]
Elections
- In, 2010 When Republican Representative Rick Murphy ran for Arizona Senate and left a District 9 seat open, Gray ran alongside incumbent Republican Representative Debbie Lesko in the three-way August 24, 2010, Republican Primary, placing second with 9,055 votes;[5] in the three-way November 2, 2010, General election, Lesko took the first seat, and Gray took the second seat with 28,459 votes against Democratic nominee Shirley McAllister,[6] who had run for the seat in 2002.
- In 2012, Redistricted to District 21 with fellow incumbent Representative Debbie Lesko, and with incumbent Representatives Thomas Forese and J. D. Mesnard redistricted to District 17, Lesko and Gray were unopposed for the August 28, 2012, Republican Primary; Lesko placed first, and Gray placed second with 12,515 votes;[7] Gray won the five-way November 6, 2012, General election, with Lesko taking the first seat and Gray taking the second seat with 39,791 votes against Democratic nominees Carol Lokare, Sheri Van Horsen (who had run for Legislature seats in 2006, 2008, and 2010) and a Libertarian write-in candidate.[8]
- In 2014, Gray and Tony Rivero were unopposed in the Republican primary. Gray and Rivero defeated Esther Duran Lumm in the general election. Republican Bryan Hackbarth was removed from the ballot before the primary, while Helmuth Hack (L) withdrew from the race. Gray received 29,589 votes.(PDF)
- In 2016 Gray ran for a seat on the Arizona Corporation Commission, alongside Andy Tobin and Al Melvin, but placed fourth in the Republican primary election.
- In 2018 Gray was appointed by the republican state senate to Debbie Lesko's seat when she resigned to run for Congress.
- In 2020 Gray ran unopposed for reelection to his District 21 seat and won Majority Leader of the Arizona Senate.
Personal life
Gray is married to Lisa Gray and has four children. He resides in Sun City.[9]
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Rick Gray's Biography . . December 30, 2013.
- Web site: Rick Gray to replace Debbie Lesko, represent West Valley in Arizona Senate.
- Web site: Senate Member . 2022-07-02 . www.azleg.gov.
- Web site: Senate Member . 2022-07-02 . www.azleg.gov.
- Web site: State of Arizona Official Canvass 2010 Primary Election – August 24, 2010 . Secretary of State of Arizona . Phoenix, Arizona . 11 . December 30, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130920214102/http://azsos.gov/election/2010/Primary/Canvass2010PE.pdf . September 20, 2013 .
- Web site: State of Arizona Official Canvass 2010 General Election – November 2, 2010 . Secretary of State of Arizona . Phoenix, Arizona . 8 . December 30, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130920230737/http://azsos.gov/election/2010/General/Canvass2010GE.pdf . September 20, 2013 .
- Web site: State of Arizona Official Canvass 2012 Primary Election August 28, 2012 . . Phoenix, Arizona . 11 . December 30, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131112230133/http://www.azsos.gov/election/2012/Primary/Canvass.pdf . November 12, 2013 .
- Web site: State of Arizona Official Canvass 2012 General Election November 6, 2012 . Secretary of State of Arizona . Phoenix, Arizona . 12 . December 30, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131112235642/http://www.azsos.gov/election/2012/General/Canvass2012GE.pdf . November 12, 2013 .
- Web site: Senate Member . 2022-07-02 . www.azleg.gov.
