Rick Gray is heading back to the State Capitol, this time to the Senate. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Gray, a Republican, as the new State Senator for Legislative District 21. Gray will replace Republican Debbie Lesko, who stepped aside to run for an open U.S. Congressional seat. District 21 covers much of northwest Maricopa County including Peoria, El Mirage, and Sun City. Gray used to represent District 21 in the State House.
“Rick knows his way around the Capitol” said District 4 Supervisor Clint Hickman, whose supervisorial district encompasses the legislative district. “As the House Majority Whip, he had experience building relationships and pushing through an agenda to benefit District 21 and the entire state. I’m confident he’ll take what he learned and represent the Northwest Valley well in the Senate.”
Gray’s previous assignments in the House have included being Majority Whip, Chairman of Transportation and Infrastructure, Vice Chairman of the Rules Committee, Vice Chairman of the Commerce Committee, and a member of the House Appropriations Committee. He is also a small business owner.
“I’ve been serving this community ever since I moved here in 2006, whether in the legislature, on community boards, or in other roles” Gray said. “I look at this appointment as a continuation of that service, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
As required by law, the Board selected Gray from a list of three candidates submitted by the Legislative District 21 Precinct Committeemen. Gray will serve through 2018. The next election for seats in the Arizona Senate will be the 2018 primary.