Retired General Gray Hauls in $561K to Challenge Luna in Florida's 13th

Retired Brig. Gen. Leela Gray pulled in more than $561,000 in just under two months after entering Florida's 13th Congressional District race, positioning herself as a formidable early challenger to Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna in what both parties expect to be one of Florida's most watched 2026 contests.

Gray launched her campaign in February and reported collecting more than $150,000 within the first two days alone — an average of roughly $10,000 per day through the end of the filing period. Her campaign emphasized that more than 75 percent of contributions came from within Florida, countering any suggestion the money reflects out-of-state enthusiasm rather than local demand.

While CD 13 is anchored in Pinellas County and does not include Martin, St. Lucie or Indian River counties, the race carries direct implications for Treasure Coast voters. A Democratic pickup in the Pinellas swing seat would shift the balance of Florida's congressional delegation and alter the leverage held by Treasure Coast Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) and the state's two Republican senators in a narrowly divided House.

Gray's early endorsements include Rep. Kathy Castor, EMILY's List and VoteVets. She framed the fundraising as a mandate rather than a milestone. "When thousands of people open their wallets in a district that's been taken for granted, they are not just making a donation, they are making a demand," Gray said in a statement. "Pinellas families are not looking for a politician. They are looking for accountability."

She will face a Democratic primary before challenging Luna. Fellow Democrat Earle Ford reported raising more than $500,000 as of March, making the primary a legitimate two-candidate financial contest. A third candidate, Timothy Robinson, reported nearly $20,700 in cash on hand as of late last year. Luna, the sole Republican in the race, reported just over $1 million through the end of last year, giving the incumbent a financial cushion heading into the cycle.

CD 13 has leaned Republican in recent cycles but remains competitive enough that national Democrats have flagged it as a potential pickup opportunity in the 2026 midterms. Florida's primary election is scheduled for August 2026, with the general election to follow in November.

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