Former State Rep. Ben Diamond Endorses Leela Gray for Florida's 13th Congressional District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: June 9, 2026

St Petersburg, FL – Today, retired Brigadier General and Democratic congressional candidate Leela Gray announced the endorsement of former Florida State Representative Ben Diamond. A Pinellas County native and one of the most respected Democratic voices in the Tampa Bay area, Diamond joins a growing coalition of community and elected leaders who have rallied behind Gray's campaign to bring grounded, accountable leadership to a district that deserves a representative who shows up and gets things done.

“As a retired Army Brigadier General who served three decades in the United States Army, Leela Gray is exactly the leader we need fighting for us in Washington,” said Diamond. “She has discipline, integrity, and outstanding judgment. I am proud to endorse Leela Gray for Florida’s 13th Congressional District.”

"Ben Diamond has spent his career fighting for the people of Pinellas County: in the Florida House, in the community, and as someone who knows this district better than anyone," said Gray. "I am honored to have the support of a leader who has dedicated himself to public service and who understands firsthand what the families of FL-13 deserve from their representative in Congress."

Diamond served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2022, representing the 68th district covering St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. During his tenure, he championed environmental stewardship, statewide resiliency efforts, and served as ranking minority member on the House Judiciary Committee. His endorsement reflects a shared commitment to the families of Pinellas County and a clear-eyed understanding of what this community has been missing from its representation in Washington.

Diamond 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), 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.

###