Leela Gray (FL-13) Releases Cutting Costs Agenda to Bring Down Prices for Floridians

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 28, 2026

CONTACT: Sera Guerry | sera@leelagray.com

St. Petersburg, FL — Today, retired Army Brigadier General Leela Gray released her Cutting Costs Agenda, a plan to tackle the biggest expenses squeezing Pinellas and Pasco County families.

“Hardworking families in our district are doing everything right, but their paychecks are not keeping up with the cost of groceries, gas, electricity, insurance, and health care. Meanwhile, self-serving politicians like Anna Paulina Luna are voting to raise our costs while looking out for themselves and their wealthy donors,” said Gray. “I am running because Washington should work as hard for you as you do for your family. In Congress, I will fight every day to lower costs, clean up Washington corruption, and ensure the residents of FL-13 finally have someone serving them.”

CUTTING COSTS AGENDA

Stop the Reckless War in Iran – This administration dragged our country into a reckless war of choice with no clear strategic objective or exit strategy, costing the average American household an estimated $1,200. I served 30 years in uniform and I refuse to sit by as service members are put at risk and instability drives up prices at the pump and grocery store. I will fight to end the war and stop working families from paying the price for Washington's disastrous decisions.
Stop the Illegal Tariff Taxes – I am running to put an end to the tariff taxes raising the cost of groceries, building materials and everyday goods, which have piled an estimated $1,700 onto the average family's yearly bills, while small businesses nationwide have been forced to absorb a staggering $200 billion in added costs. Rubber stamps in Congress and the administration are putting a huge burden on hardworking Floridians and small businesses, raising everyday costs.
Break up Healthcare Monopolies, Strengthen the ACA, & Cap Prescription Drug Costs – Consolidation among insurers, hospital systems, and pharmacy benefit managers has left families with fewer choices and higher bills, and I will fight to break up these healthcare monopolies and hold them accountable. Washington's own policy choices are also making things worse. If cuts to the Affordable Care Act stand, Floridians could see another year of double digit premium hikes. We must restore the ACA tax credits Luna allowed to expire, cap out-of-pocket costs for essential medications, protect Medicare's power to negotiate lower prices, and take on pharmaceutical companies that charge Americans far more than patients pay for the same medicines elsewhere.
Fix the Rigged Tax Code – Washington handed the ultra-wealthy and biggest corporations massive tax breaks, then turned around and paid for it by gutting healthcare and food assistance for working families. In Florida's 13th District alone, up to 60,000 people are at risk of losing their healthcare and 24,000 households could lose food assistance because of these cuts. I will fight for a tax code that asks the wealthiest to pay their fair share, instead of balancing the budget on the backs of seniors, veterans, and working families.
Protect Medicare and Social Security – Seniors in our district spent a lifetime paying into Medicare and Social Security, and now Washington must keep its promise to them. I will always fight to protect and strengthen both programs so seniors can retire with dignity and families can plan for their futures with confidence.
Crack Down on Corporate Investors Buying Up Housing – Private equity firms and Wall Street investors are buying up homes across Pinellas and Pasco County, driving prices out of reach for hardworking families. I will fight for serious, bipartisan solutions that give families, nonprofits, and local governments the first chance to buy available homes, and crack down on the tax breaks letting institutional investors outbid everyday Floridians.

About Leela Gray

Leela Gray is a third-generation veteran, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, 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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