Former Florida CFO Alex Sink Endorses Leela Gray for Florida's 13th Congressional District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: June 11, 2026

St Petersburg, FL – Today, Retired Brigadier General and Democratic congressional candidate Leela Gray received the endorsement of former Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. A distinguished business leader, public servant, and founder of Ruth's List Florida, Sink brings decades of experience fighting for fiscal accountability and women's leadership in Florida politics.

“Leela Gray is exactly the kind of leader we need to serve in Congress,” said Sink. “She spent more than 30 years earning every promotion, managing complex missions, and never once putting herself before the people she served. That kind of fiscal discipline and accountability is exactly what we need in Washington right now. The families of Pinellas County deserve a representative who shows up, does the hard work, and fights for them every single day. Leela Gray will do exactly that, and that is why I am proud to support her."

"Alex Sink has been a trailblazer for women in Florida public life and a fierce advocate for the fiscal responsibility and accountability that Washington is sorely lacking," said Gray. "When someone with her record and her standing in this state puts their name behind this campaign, that carries real weight. I am grateful for her confidence and inspired by her example."

An endorsement from Sink comes at a moment when families in Pinellas and Pasco Counties are being crushed by skyrocketing insurance costs, rising housing prices, and healthcare cuts falling hardest on working Floridians. As Florida's CFO, Sink managed more than $74 billion in annual tax revenue and served as the state's outspoken fiscal watchdog.

Sink joins a growing coalition of community leaders and national organizations that have recognized Gray as the battle-tested leader Florida needs in Congress. The list includes Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14), Former State Representative Ben Diamond, 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 cyberpolicy. 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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