Brigadier General, (Ret) Leela Gray’s Campaign Raises $500,000 Cash on Hand and Decisive Momentum

First Time Candidate Raises $561,000 in 56 Days Since Launch; Setting a Florida Fundraising Record

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2026

St. Petersburg, FL — Today, the Leela Gray for Congress campaign reports that in just 56 days, it received contributions totalling more than $561,000. Exhibiting the same discipline that defined her 30-year military career, Gray managed those funds responsibly, spending less than 11% on overhead and other expenses. Gray enters the next quarter with $500,000 cash on hand, while setting a record for any Dem. challenger's first quarter fundraising in Florida’s 13th Congressional District.¹

“When thousands of people open their wallets in a district that's been taken for granted, they are not just making a donation, they are making a demand: that someone finally show up, listen, and do the job the Constitution actually requires,” said Gray. “I am deeply grateful for their support because these are not special interests - they are our neighbors, our small business owners, and our veterans. They are fed up with politicians like Congresswoman Luna and they have a right to be. People here at home want someone tested, someone who knows the rule of law is not negotiable. Pinellas families are not looking for a politician. They are looking for accountability. I will not let them down.”

Since her launch, Gray has maintained an impressive fundraising pace, raising $10,000 per day with over 75% of donations coming from Floridians. This grassroots momentum helped Gray secure the endorsements of notable community and business leaders as well as leading Democratic organizations, including;

Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14).
Whitney Fox, 2024 Democratic candidate for FL-13.
EMILY’s List, the nation’s premier resource for electing Democratic women.
VoteVets, which represents and advocates on behalf of 1.5 million veterans and military families across the nation.

With a commanding cash advantage and a growing coalition of local and national supporters, Gray is uniquely positioned to flip this seat and deliver common sense and experienced leadership for Pinellas families.

¹The previous record for fundraising in the first quarter of the race by a Dem challenger in FL-13 was $508,271 by Charlie Crist.