Eric Gray

Eric Gray (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 35. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. The Democratic primary for this office on August 18, 2026, was canceled.

Gray also ran for election to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners to represent District 4 in Florida. He did not appear on the ballot for the primary on August 18, 2026.

Florida House of Representatives District 35

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Eric Gray is a seventh-generation Floridian, nonprofit executive, and community leader who has dedicated more than 25 years to serving Central Florida. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Christian Service Center for the Homeless, where he works to address homelessness, poverty, housing instability, and economic hardship. Prior to that role, he served as Executive Director of United Against Poverty Orlando and the Central Florida chapter of the American Lung Association, building a career focused on strengthening communities and expanding opportunity for working families.

In addition to his nonprofit leadership, Eric has been actively involved in local government and economic development. He currently serves on the Orange County Planning & Zoning Commission and previously served on Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax Advisory Task Force. He is a past Chair of the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce and has spent decades working alongside business leaders, educators, faith communities, and neighborhood organizations to address the challenges facing Central Florida. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his leadership and service, including being named the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Floridian of the Year in 2024.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability Starts with Housing, Transportation, and Smart Growth - Central Florida is facing a housing crisis. More than half of local families spend over 30% of their income on housing, and many spend more than 50%. At the same time, our region faces a shortage of at least 50,000 housing units. We cannot continue with the status quo. I support expanding affordable housing options for working families, investing in public transportation, and ensuring growth is matched with the infrastructure, schools, and environmental protections our communities need. Florida's future depends on making it possible for teachers, nurses, first responders, and working families to afford to live in the communities they serve.Every Floridian Deserves a Path to Economic Success - Too many young people graduate without a clear pathway to a good-paying career. While Central Florida is home to world-class institutions like UCF, Valencia College, and outstanding technical education programs, only about 36% of local high school graduates pursue higher education. We must better connect students to college, workforce training, apprenticeships, and career certifications. I will collaborate with our School Board members to, support workforce development, diversify our economy, and create opportunities that allow people to build successful careers and stay in Central Florida. Our students shouldn’t be priced out of their own community.Government Must Put Local Families First - For too long, major decisions in Florida have prioritized powerful special interests, large corporations, and political agendas over the needs of local communities. Whether it's the use of tourism tax dollars, transportation planning, housing policy, or local decision-making, government should focus on delivering measurable results for residents. The question should always be: who benefits? I will fight for greater local control, responsible investment of taxpayer dollars, stronger public services, and policies that ensure the economic success of Central Florida is shared by the families and small businesses that call this region home.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My greatest passion in public policy is fighting poverty and helping people build stable, successful lives. Throughout my career leading organizations like the Christian Service Center for the Homeless and United Against Poverty Orlando, I have worked directly with individuals and families facing some of life's toughest challenges. Those experiences taught me that good public policy should be measured by whether it improves people's lives and expands opportunity. I am especially passionate about policies that help families achieve economic stability, strengthen communities, improve access to education and workforce training, and ensure that people who are working hard have a real chance to get ahead.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My father (Harry Gray), My more experienced friends (Randy Rush, Tommy Beck, Worth Oelschlager, John Andersen, and Charlie Gray), my hero’s (Abraham Lincoln, Meriwhether Lewis, Susan B Anthony, John Lewis, Teddy Roosevelt, Bob Graham, Toni Jennings, Linda Chapin, Buddy Dyer, Robert Stuart) and my savior Jesus Christ.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

To vote your conscience and not for a donor; in short, the ability to say No, thank you.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Show up, listen, read, learn and then learn some more, stand up, speak up, learn some more and vote.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A place of love in the hearts of others

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Kennel assistant and dog walker at Keene Veterinarian Clinic.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Learning when to close my mouth and listen.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

One of mutual respect and at least vaguely similar goals that understand Florida works best when it works for everyone.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Deciding if we want to build CULTure and tradition for our grandchildren or follow a CULT that trades principles for power and money.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Of course. We can compromise on details, we must stand firm on principles. Our representative democracy was built on the certainty that compromise was essential.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani, Orange County Commissioner Kelly Semrad, Orlando City Commissioner Shan Rose, Orlando City Commissioner Tom Keen, Congressman Maxwell Frost, Public Defender Melissa Vickers, Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson, JJ Holmes (Health Care Advocate and 2025 Orlando Sentinel Central Floridian of the Year), Candidates for Common Good

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

Watching the Shuttle Challenger tragedy from the playground at Lake Magdalene Elementary

Orange County Board of County Commissioners District 4

Eric Gray did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.