Difference between revisions of "Michelle Gray"
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Revision as of 16:49, January 9, 2021
| April Michelle Gray | |
Arkansas State Representative
for District 62 | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Tommy Wren |
|---|---|
| Born | September 11, 1976 Izard County, Arkansas, USA |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | (1) Shane Madison Cunningham (2) Dr. Adam Christopher Gray |
| Children | Five children |
| Residence | Melbourne, Izard County |
| Alma mater | Arkansas State University |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Religion | Southern Baptist |
April Michelle Harvey Gray,[1] formerly Michelle Cunningham,[2] known as Michelle Gray (born September 11, 1976),[3] is the manager of her husband's medical office in Melbourne in her native Izard County, Arkansas[4] and a Republican state representative for Independence, Sharp, and Stone counties.[5]
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.[6] 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.[5][4]
Gray formerly resided in Walnut Ridge in Lawrence County, Arkansas, dates unavailable.[1]
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 Democrat Tommy Wren, 5,130 votes (54.3 percent) to 4,319 (45.7 percent).[7] Representative Gray holds these committee assignments: (1) Legislative Joint Audit (2) Judiciary Committee, and (3) State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.[5]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.[8]
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.[9] The measure passed the House, seventy-two to twenty.[10] One of the opponents, Democratic Representative Camille Bennett, a former city attorney for Lonoke, Arkansas, called for a reworking of the legislation.[11] Bennett claimed the Ballinger bill would establish a "type of religious litmus test" which could impact nearly any law under consideration by the legislature.[12] The measure was subsequently passed by a large margin in the House and signed into law in revised form, SB 975, by Governor Hutchinson.[13]
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.[14]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 April Michelle Harvey. intelius.com. Retrieved on April 12, 2015.
- ↑ Shane Madison Cunningham. intelius.com. Retrieved on April 12, 2015.
- ↑ Michelle Gray. Mylife.com. Retrieved on January 9, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Michelle Gray Announces for State Rep.. michellegray.us. Retrieved on April 12, 2015.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Michelle Gray. arkansashouse.org. Retrieved on April 12, 2015.
- ↑ Michelle Gray's Biography. Project Vote Smart. Retrieved on January 9, 2021.
- ↑ District 62. Ballotpedia.org. Retrieved on January 9, 2021.
- ↑ HB 1489 - Reduces Unemployment Benefits - Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. Retrieved on January 9, 2021.
- ↑ HB 1228. Project Vote Smart. Retrieved on April 11, 2015.
- ↑ HB 1228. Project Vote Smart. Retrieved on April 14, 2015.
- ↑ Indiana, Arkansas try to stem religious objections uproar. Atlantic Broadband (April 3, 2015). Retrieved on April 14, 2015.
- ↑ Opponents of Religious Freedom Bill Point Out Law Differences, Possible Unintended Consequences. Fox Channel 16 (April 1, 2015). Retrieved on April 14, 2015.
- ↑ Gov. Hutchinson signs revised religious freedom bill; HB 1228 recalled. KTHV-TV (April 2, 2015). Retrieved on April 14, 2015.
- ↑ We Love Gov. Palin. conservatives4palin.com (April 8, 2015). Retrieved on April 12, 2015.