Leela Gray on Morning Joe: “Luna is Driven By Her Vanity"

Gray slams Luna’s headline-chasing, soaring costs for Florida families, and highlights concerns over the Iran war and American national security

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 9, 2026

CONTACT: Sera Guerry | sera@leelagray.com

St. Petersburg, FL — This morning, retired Army Brigadier General Leela Gray, candidate for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, joined MS NOW's Morning Joe to make the case that voters across the political spectrum are ready to replace self-serving Anna Paulina Luna with serious, service-driven leadership focused on lowering costs and protecting America’s national security. 

Watch the full interview here. 

Gray outlined the mounting financial pressures facing Floridians, including rising insurance costs as communities continue rebuilding on the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Milton. She pointed to the combined impact of Luna’s votes to support the Iran war, tariffs, and rising health care costs:

“I actually have some numbers: at least $1,200 for families because of this reckless war of choice in Iran, at least $1,700 because of these illegal tariff taxes. And recently, I received data showing that health care costs for many of the people right here in our district are going to go up about $5,300 per year.

“Most people don’t have an extra eight grand sitting in their pocket.”

Asked about Luna’s record of chasing viral headlines while refusing to debate or hold town halls, Gray sharply criticized her opponent’s priorities:

“Clearly, Luna is driven by her vanity. That’s why she’s always chasing these headlines. You know the type of person who comes into a room, makes a lot of noise, and does the job half ass? 

“That’s Luna. 

“People are tired of that.”

Gray also described the growing frustration she is hearing from Republicans and Independents across FL-13 who want representatives focused on solving problems rather than attracting attention:

“What I’m hearing from independents and Republicans is that they want to know they are the most important people to their representatives.

“It’s in the title: representative. That’s the job.

“That’s what I did for 30 years serving my country. It was always about service over self, and that’s what I’m going to deliver in November.”

Addressing American national security, Gray drew on her decades of military leadership, including service at U.S. Central Command under General James Mattis, to question the administration’s strategic planning in Iran:

“I can say with high confidence that we did not prosecute this war with Iran with a clear strategic objective.

“Because if we had, we would have secured the Strait of Hormuz first and foremost.

“But let’s also be really clear…this reckless war of choice is…being led by Hegseth.

“Hegseth is an unqualified frat boy.”

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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.