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Created page with "{{Infobox officeholder | name=April Michelle Gray | birth_date=September 11, 1976 | birth_place=Izard County, Arkansas, USA | residence=Melbourne, Izard County | dea..."
{{Infobox officeholder
| name=April Michelle Gray
| birth_date=September 11, 1976
| birth_place=Izard County, [[Arkansas]], USA
| residence=Melbourne, Izard County
| death_date=
| death_place=
| death_cause=
| resting_place=
| office=[[Arkansas]] State Representative<br> for District 62
| term_start=January 2015
| term_end=
| preceded=Tommy Wren
| succeeded=
| party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]
| alma_mater=Arkansas State University
| occupation=[[Business]]woman
| religion=[[Southern Baptist]]
| spouse=(1) Shane Madison Cunningham<br>
(2) Dr. Adam Christopher Gray
| children=Five children}}
'''April Michelle Harvey Gray''',<ref name=inteli>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1&formname=name&qf=&qmi=&qn=Harvey&qcs=Walnut+Ridge%2C+AR&focusfirst=1|title=April Michelle Harvey|publisher=intelius.com|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}</ref> formerly '''Michelle Cunningham''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1&formname=name&qf=Shane&qmi=M&qn=Cunningham&qcs=Jonesboro%2C+AR&focusfirst=1|title=Shane Madison Cunningham|publisher=intelius.com|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}</ref> known as '''Michelle Gray''' (born September 11, 1976),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/michelle-gray/smktcunningham?fname=michelle&lname=gray&|title=Michelle Gray|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=January 9, 2021}}</ref> is the manager of her husband's medical office in Melbourne in her native Izard County, [[Arkansas]]<ref name=announces>{{cite web|url=http://www.michellegray.us/about.html|title=Michelle Gray Announces for State Rep.|publisher=michellegray.us|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}</ref> and a [[Republican Party|Republican]] state representative for Independence, Sharp, and Stone counties.<ref name=michgray>{{cite web|url= http://www.arkansashouse.org/member/366/Michelle-Gray|title=Michelle Gray|publisher=arkansashouse.org|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}</ref>
==Background==
Gray graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in [[Accounting]] from Arkansas State University at Jonesboro. She formerly worked in the accounting offices of both ASU and Ozarka College, a community college in Melbourne.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/150249/michelle-gray#.VSrsrcstEqR|title=Michelle Gray's Biography|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=January 9, 2021}}</ref> She and her husband, Dr. Adam Christopher Gray (born c. 1971), have five children. She is a [[Southern Baptist]]. She is a former secretary and treasurer for the Izard County Emergency Services Board. She has also been the treasurer of the Single Parent Scholarship Foundation in Izard County.<ref name=michgray/><ref name=announces/>
Gray formerly resided in Walnut Ridge in Lawrence County, Arkansas, dates unavailable.<ref name=inteli/>
==Political life==
Gray ran without opposition in the Republican [[primary]] held on May 20, 2014, for the District 62 nomination to the state House. In the November 4 [[general election]] she unseated the two-term [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Tommy Wren, 5,130 votes (54.3 percent) to 4,319 (45.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballotpedia.org/Arkansas_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2014|title=District 62|publisher=Ballotpedia.org|accessdate=January 9, 2021}}</ref> Representative Gray holds these committee assignments: (1) Legislative Joint Audit (2) Judiciary Committee, and (3) State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.<ref name=michgray/>In February 2015, Gray joined dozens of her fellow Republicans and two Democrats in co-sponsoring legislation submitted by Representative Lane Jean of Magnolia, to reduce unemployment compensation benefits. The measure was promptly signed into law by Republican [[Governor]] [[Asa Hutchinson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/19578/51495/129425/reduces-unemployment-benefits#.VR3Zr_l4rGY|title=HB 1489 - Reduces Unemployment Benefits - Key Vote|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=January 9, 2021}}</ref>
That same month Gray supported House Bill 1228, sponsored by Republican [[Bob Ballinger]] of Carroll County, which sought to prohibit government from imposing a burden on the free exercise of religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/19610/51617/141580/prohibits-government-from-burdening-exercise-of-religion#.VSl8TsstEqQ|title=HB 1228|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=April 11, 2015}}</ref> The measure passed the House, seventy-two to twenty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/19610/51617/141580/prohibits-government-from-burdening-exercise-of-religion#.VSl8TsstEqQ|title=HB 1228|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref> One of the opponents, Democratic Representative [[Camille Bennett]], a former city attorney for Lonoke, Arkansas, called for a reworking of the legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticbb.net/news/read/category/General/article/the_associated_press-indiana_arkansas_try_to_stem_religious_objections-ap|title=Indiana, Arkansas try to stem religious objections uproar|publisher=Atlantic Broadband|date=April 3, 2015|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref> Bennett claimed the Ballinger bill would establish a "type of religious litmus test" which could impact nearly any law under consideration by the legislature.<ref name=religiousfreedom>{{cite web|url=http://www.fox16.com/story/d/story/opponents-of-religious-freedom-bill-point-out-law/24249/AsrrUGLEdkuquASB01ZrLA|title=Opponents of Religious Freedom Bill Point Out Law Differences, Possible Unintended Consequences|publisher=Fox Channel 16|location=[[Little Rock]], Arkansas|date=April 1, 2015|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref> The measure was subsequently passed by a large margin in the House and signed into law in revised form, SB 975, by Governor Hutchinson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thv11.com/story/news/local/2015/04/02/house-committee-passes-new-rfra-bill-headed-for-full-house/70828864/|title=Gov. Hutchinson signs revised religious freedom bill; HB 1228 recalled|publisher=KTHV-TV|location=Little Rock|date=April 2, 2015|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref>
Gray is a particular admirer of former Governor [[Sarah Palin]] of [[Alaska]], the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee. "We have a lot of respect for her and what she does – and just the fight that she's willing to take on. She's not scared of anything. Her viewpoints and our viewpoints are a lot alike. ... She's a mom, she's a wife [prior to Palin's divorce]. She's me. I can see myself in her a lot," said Gray.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://conservatives4palin.com/2015/04/mgr-michelle-gray-ar62-we-love-sarahpalinusa.html|title=We Love Gov. Palin|publisher=conservatives4palin.com|date=April 8, 2015|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gray, Michelle}}
[[Category:Arkansas]]
[[Category:Women]]
[[Category:Business People]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Southern Baptists]]
| name=April Michelle Gray
| birth_date=September 11, 1976
| birth_place=Izard County, [[Arkansas]], USA
| residence=Melbourne, Izard County
| death_date=
| death_place=
| death_cause=
| resting_place=
| office=[[Arkansas]] State Representative<br> for District 62
| term_start=January 2015
| term_end=
| preceded=Tommy Wren
| succeeded=
| party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]
| alma_mater=Arkansas State University
| occupation=[[Business]]woman
| religion=[[Southern Baptist]]
| spouse=(1) Shane Madison Cunningham<br>
(2) Dr. Adam Christopher Gray
| children=Five children}}
'''April Michelle Harvey Gray''',<ref name=inteli>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1&formname=name&qf=&qmi=&qn=Harvey&qcs=Walnut+Ridge%2C+AR&focusfirst=1|title=April Michelle Harvey|publisher=intelius.com|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}</ref> formerly '''Michelle Cunningham''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1&formname=name&qf=Shane&qmi=M&qn=Cunningham&qcs=Jonesboro%2C+AR&focusfirst=1|title=Shane Madison Cunningham|publisher=intelius.com|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}</ref> known as '''Michelle Gray''' (born September 11, 1976),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/michelle-gray/smktcunningham?fname=michelle&lname=gray&|title=Michelle Gray|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=January 9, 2021}}</ref> is the manager of her husband's medical office in Melbourne in her native Izard County, [[Arkansas]]<ref name=announces>{{cite web|url=http://www.michellegray.us/about.html|title=Michelle Gray Announces for State Rep.|publisher=michellegray.us|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}</ref> and a [[Republican Party|Republican]] state representative for Independence, Sharp, and Stone counties.<ref name=michgray>{{cite web|url= http://www.arkansashouse.org/member/366/Michelle-Gray|title=Michelle Gray|publisher=arkansashouse.org|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}</ref>
==Background==
Gray graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in [[Accounting]] from Arkansas State University at Jonesboro. She formerly worked in the accounting offices of both ASU and Ozarka College, a community college in Melbourne.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/150249/michelle-gray#.VSrsrcstEqR|title=Michelle Gray's Biography|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=January 9, 2021}}</ref> She and her husband, Dr. Adam Christopher Gray (born c. 1971), have five children. She is a [[Southern Baptist]]. She is a former secretary and treasurer for the Izard County Emergency Services Board. She has also been the treasurer of the Single Parent Scholarship Foundation in Izard County.<ref name=michgray/><ref name=announces/>
Gray formerly resided in Walnut Ridge in Lawrence County, Arkansas, dates unavailable.<ref name=inteli/>
==Political life==
Gray ran without opposition in the Republican [[primary]] held on May 20, 2014, for the District 62 nomination to the state House. In the November 4 [[general election]] she unseated the two-term [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Tommy Wren, 5,130 votes (54.3 percent) to 4,319 (45.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballotpedia.org/Arkansas_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2014|title=District 62|publisher=Ballotpedia.org|accessdate=January 9, 2021}}</ref> Representative Gray holds these committee assignments: (1) Legislative Joint Audit (2) Judiciary Committee, and (3) State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.<ref name=michgray/>In February 2015, Gray joined dozens of her fellow Republicans and two Democrats in co-sponsoring legislation submitted by Representative Lane Jean of Magnolia, to reduce unemployment compensation benefits. The measure was promptly signed into law by Republican [[Governor]] [[Asa Hutchinson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/19578/51495/129425/reduces-unemployment-benefits#.VR3Zr_l4rGY|title=HB 1489 - Reduces Unemployment Benefits - Key Vote|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=January 9, 2021}}</ref>
That same month Gray supported House Bill 1228, sponsored by Republican [[Bob Ballinger]] of Carroll County, which sought to prohibit government from imposing a burden on the free exercise of religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/19610/51617/141580/prohibits-government-from-burdening-exercise-of-religion#.VSl8TsstEqQ|title=HB 1228|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=April 11, 2015}}</ref> The measure passed the House, seventy-two to twenty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/19610/51617/141580/prohibits-government-from-burdening-exercise-of-religion#.VSl8TsstEqQ|title=HB 1228|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref> One of the opponents, Democratic Representative [[Camille Bennett]], a former city attorney for Lonoke, Arkansas, called for a reworking of the legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticbb.net/news/read/category/General/article/the_associated_press-indiana_arkansas_try_to_stem_religious_objections-ap|title=Indiana, Arkansas try to stem religious objections uproar|publisher=Atlantic Broadband|date=April 3, 2015|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref> Bennett claimed the Ballinger bill would establish a "type of religious litmus test" which could impact nearly any law under consideration by the legislature.<ref name=religiousfreedom>{{cite web|url=http://www.fox16.com/story/d/story/opponents-of-religious-freedom-bill-point-out-law/24249/AsrrUGLEdkuquASB01ZrLA|title=Opponents of Religious Freedom Bill Point Out Law Differences, Possible Unintended Consequences|publisher=Fox Channel 16|location=[[Little Rock]], Arkansas|date=April 1, 2015|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref> The measure was subsequently passed by a large margin in the House and signed into law in revised form, SB 975, by Governor Hutchinson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thv11.com/story/news/local/2015/04/02/house-committee-passes-new-rfra-bill-headed-for-full-house/70828864/|title=Gov. Hutchinson signs revised religious freedom bill; HB 1228 recalled|publisher=KTHV-TV|location=Little Rock|date=April 2, 2015|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref>
Gray is a particular admirer of former Governor [[Sarah Palin]] of [[Alaska]], the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee. "We have a lot of respect for her and what she does – and just the fight that she's willing to take on. She's not scared of anything. Her viewpoints and our viewpoints are a lot alike. ... She's a mom, she's a wife [prior to Palin's divorce]. She's me. I can see myself in her a lot," said Gray.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://conservatives4palin.com/2015/04/mgr-michelle-gray-ar62-we-love-sarahpalinusa.html|title=We Love Gov. Palin|publisher=conservatives4palin.com|date=April 8, 2015|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gray, Michelle}}
[[Category:Arkansas]]
[[Category:Women]]
[[Category:Business People]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Southern Baptists]]