Congressman Steny Hoyer Endorses Leela Gray in Florida's 13th Congressional District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: July 16th, 2026

St. Petersburg, FL — Today, retired Brigadier General and Democratic congressional candidate Leela Gray earned the endorsement of Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-05), the longest-serving Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives and a two-time former House Majority Leader, adding another major voice to the growing coalition behind Gray's campaign to flip Florida's 13th Congressional District.

"Leela Gray is as tough as she is principled, as experienced as she is ready,” said Hoyer. “She spent 30 years serving this country in uniform, rising to Brigadier General not because of who she knew, but because of what she delivered. That is the kind of leader the people of FL-13 deserve in Congress, and that is exactly the kind of leader who will deliver results for them. I am proud to endorse Leela Gray, and I have no doubt she will serve Pinellas and Pasco Counties with the same distinction she has demonstrated throughout her life.”

“Congressman Hoyer’s support means a great deal to me, not just because of his experience, but because of what he represents: a Congress that gets things done for the people it serves,” said Gray. “I am honored to have his trust, and I will carry that same commitment to results with me every day I serve the families of FL-13.”

Hoyer joins a growing coalition of leaders and organizations that have recognized Gray as the battle-tested leader Florida needs in Congress. The list includes Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senator Mark Kelly, the Florida AFL-CIO, Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14), Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22), Former State Representative Ben Diamond, Ruth’s List founder Alex Sink, fellow veterans and U.S. Reps. Jason Crow, Pat Ryan, and Ted Lieu, Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub, EMILY’s List, New Politics, and VoteVets.

About Leela Gray

Retired Army Brigadier General Leela Gray is a third-generation veteran, attorney, small business leader, and mother running for Congress in Florida's 13th Congressional District. The first in her family to attend college, Leela worked her way through school and served more than 30 years in uniform, including two combat deployments and a peacekeeping mission. She retired in 2018 as Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Central and subsequently advised U.S. Army Cyber Command on modernizing national cyber policy. After retiring from the military, Leela served on non-profit and private sector advisory boards, and earned her law degree to help veterans access healthcare and other critical benefits. Leela and her husband, Tony, have lived in the Tampa Bay area for more than 20 years and are proud parents of their adult daughter. Learn more at leelagray.com.

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