Rick Gray

Republican
Candidate for Arizona House in Legislative District 21
Phone: (623) 340-8091
Email: rick@voterickgray.com
Website: www.voterickgray.com
Twitter: @RickGray
9521 W Cedar Hill Cir, Sun City, AZ 85351.

Age: 61. (01/16/51, Omaha, NE).

Arizona since: 2006.

Occupation: Owner, Acacia Plumbing, Inc., since 2006; owner, RG Plumbing, 1999–2006; manager, Micro Plumbing, 2001–2003; division leader, Trinity Church Interdenominational, 1998–1999; owner, Midwest Plumbing & Drain Cleaning, Inc.

Marital: Married (Lisa, administrative asst).

Children: 4.

Religious preference: Christian.

Education: M.A., organizational leadership, Crown College, in process; B.S., organizational leadership and biblical studies (dual major), Grace University, 2000; A.A.S., business management, Metro Community College, 1993; certificate in teacher training, Metro Community College, 1992.

Political experience: Precinct & state committeeman; 2nd vice chair, LD9; governmental chair, Sun City Homeowners Assn.

Legis exp: House since 2011.

Memberships: Sun City Republican Club; Sun City Homeowners Assn; Sun City Taxpayers Assn; Peoria Rotary Club; NRA; AZ State Assn of Parliamentarians; AZ Citizen Defense League; North Phoenix Vineyard Church.

Interests: Politics, reading, travel, exercise, guitar.

Political influence: I would say Ronald Reagan is one of the people I admire most in the political realm, but Barack Obama is actually the person who provoked me to get into politics, so I guess he’s the one who was most influential in my political development.

Job creation measures: I believe we need both tax and government reform to help develop the type of business climate that encourages business growth and job creation.

Top Issues: I would like to see our caucus develop a five year plan, which will help us focus our legislation on taking the steps needed to achieve our goals. This would help us address both of the areas of reform I mentioned above.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: I am not in favor of adding the tax, which is what the ballot measure would do, especially since it will be permanent and unable to be changed without a vote of the people. And I am not in favor of extending the temporary sales tax. I am interested in broadening our tax base and lowering the rate.

Illegal immigration: The greatest impact in stopping illegal immigration must come from the federal government doing its job. Unfortunately, we’ve had poor leadership at the federal level for many years and we are still suffering from it now.

Background & experience: I jokingly say the greatest preparation I’ve had for being a legislator is being a single parent of four children. And that’s mostly true because I’ve gotten used to someone always being upset with me, and those are usually the most vocal ones, while the ones who are happy with me are usually quiet and busy with their own interests. That has helped develop me into the kind of person who will do what’s right because it’s the best for everyone, not just the easy way out. To go back to the immigration issue: if our politicians would have done that decades ago we wouldn’t have these problems today. I also think my business experience is a valuable asset for anyone dealing with legislative issues. Signing the front of a paycheck and not just the back sounds like a small thing, but the experience can give you a whole new perspective, which I believe is needed at the Capitol.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I believe that life begins at conception and abortion is the ending of a life.

One last thing: If anyone has any other questions about me or my position, I would encourage them to check out my website, www.VoteRickGray.com or email me at Rick@VoteRickGray.com.

Campaign finance: private.