ONE MONTH LATER: Anna Paulina Luna Still Refuses to Debate Leela Gray

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 8, 2026

St. Petersburg, FL — Leela Gray, Democratic nominee for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, renewed her debate challenge to MAGA extremist Representative Anna Paulina Luna. Thirty days later with no response, General Gray said the the following:

“Today marks one month since I challenged Anna Paulina Luna to a debate.

Our neighbors in FL-13 deserve an explanation for why you keep voting to extend the Iran war and supporting the tariff taxes.

Whatever happened to America first, Anna?”

The renewed challenge comes as FL-13 grows increasingly competitive, with Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Fox News all shifting the race toward Gray in recent weeks. Recent polling from House Majority PAC also shows Gray leading Luna 51% to 46%. Meanwhile, Luna has declined opportunities to face voters and answer questions about her record, including refusing Gray’s debate challenge and declining an invitation to appear on WFLA’s Battleground Florida.

###

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.