Adam Gray

Adam C. Gray
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 21st district
Assumed office
December 3, 2012
Preceded by new district
Personal details
Born Merced, California
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Cadee Condit Gray
Residence Merced, California
Alma mater University of California, Santa Barbara
Website http://asmdc.org/members/a21/

Adam C. Gray is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 21st Assembly District, encompassing all of Merced County and portions of Stanislaus County.

Early life and education

According to Gray's state website, he was born and raised in Merced working at his grandfather's local business, Merced Dairy Supply. He graduated from Golden Valley High School and then attended Merced Community College before earning his bachelor's in political science from University of California at Santa Barbara.[1][2]

Early career

According to Gray's state website, he returned to Merced to work with then Assemblymember, and former Congressman, Dennis Cardoza. At the time, farmers were plagued with soaring energy prices, rolling blackouts, low rainfall and low-cost imports flooding the market. Gray helped exempt fuel and farm equipment from the state sales tax, otherwise known as the “Tractor Tax,” which encouraged farmers to upgrade their equipment and save jobs. He also worked on legislation to provide tax incentives to small businesses, and to protect family farms from scrap metal theft. He also worked on legislation that provides tax credits to first-time homebuyers and protects homeowners against fraudulent loan modifications.[3]

In July 2013, Gray testified in the federal investigation involving the public corruption charges against state Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello.[4]

In August 2014, Gray paid a $2,000 fine for failing to report a non-monetary gift made to his campaign in 2011 by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.[5]

Legislative career

Gray first assumed office in the California State Assembly in November 2012. He defeated his opponent by a margin of 58.2% - 41.8%.[6] In the 2014 primary election, Gray received 95.3% of the vote.[7]

In October 2013, Gray was cited by multiple sources for assisting the residents of a mobile home park in Santa Nella, California. When a fire destroyed the power source for more than 30 homes, Gray organized an effort with local electrical workers to have the necessary parts and labor donated to restore power.[8][9]

In June 2014, Gray helped to organized a bipartisan group, including Republican Senator Anthony Cannella and Merced Superintendent of Public Schools Steve Gomes, to ensure state funding came through to build a new special education school in Merced. Gray was honored as a special guest when the project broke ground on August 15, 2014.[10][11]

In July 2014, Gray was credited with bringing attention to Merced and Stanislaus Counties when he pushed for Tesla Motors to build a multibillion-dollar “Giga-Factory” at two locations in Atwater and Patterson, California.[12][13]

In September 2014, Gray was named the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) - Outstanding Legislator of the Year. CRPA Executive Director John Fields said, “Assemblymember Gray has gone above and beyond to protect gun owners and hunters, and that is why we are recognizing him for his many accomplishments in his continued defense of the Second Amendment.”[14] The association cited Gray's introduction of AB 1545 "a law that helps citizens retroactively report private-party transfers of firearms" and opposition to SB 53 "which required ammunition vendors to obtain a permit from the Department of Justice" as reason for the award.[15]

In October 2014, after multiple sources reported abusive Americans with Disabilities lawsuits were occurring in Merced and Stanislaus Counties, Gray pledged to organize a local working group to identify the problem and elicit feedback from the community in order to draft new legislation for introduction in 2015.[16][17]

As chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee between 2012 and 2014, Gray oversaw the approval of numerous audits on issues ranging from the University of California's “Rape Culture”[18] and inappropriate fiscal management at the California Department of Parks and Recreation,[19] to false and abusive claims under the Medi-Cal Drug Rehabilitation Program[20] and negligent misconduct at Child Protective Services agencies.[21]

2014 California State Assembly

California's 21st State Assembly district election, 2014
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent) 26,015 95.3
Republican Jack Mobley (write-in) 1,286 4.7
Total votes 27,301 100.0
General election
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent) 34,931 53.4
Republican Jack Mobley 30,499 46.6
Total votes 65,430 100.0
Democratic hold

2016 California State Assembly candidacy

California's 21st State Assembly district election, 2016
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent) 43,874 66.8
Republican Greg Opinski 21,754 33.1
Republican Brien J. Rahilly (write-in) 36 0.1
Total votes 65,664 100.0
General election
Democratic Adam Gray (incumbent)
Republican Greg Opinski
Total votes ' '

Legislative history

AB 793 – Merced Irrigation District Electricity Rates. Gray and Cannella jointly introduced legislation to ensure Merced Irrigation District customers did not experience electricity rate increases resulting from new hydro-electric power regulations. The legislation was signed into law which prohibits new regulations from increasing the prices paid by MID energy customers from New Exchequer Dam.[22]

ACR 154 – Modesto City Schools' World Geography World Religions Class. Gray introduced legislation to bring recognition to the efforts of Modesto City Schools' course in world geography and religions. According to The Modesto Bee, "the district is believed to be the only public school district in the nation to require a class on world religions."[23] The Bee goes on to say that "California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 154 applauds the course for its effectiveness against bullying of Sikh children and other faith groups, and recommends it be considered by school districts statewide."[24]

AB 1545 – Gun Owner Protection. Gray introduced legislation to provide otherwise law-abiding gun owners with a path to register guns that were obtained or transferred without the facilitation of a licensed dealer. The bill allows gun owners to voluntarily declare their firearm for late registration, provided they are not on the DOJ's prohibited persons list or otherwise barred from owning a firearm.[25]

AB 1004 and AB 2121 – Law Enforcement Efficiency. Gray introduced AB 1004 (2013) and AB 2121 (2014) which expedited the process of obtaining an arrest warrant for a criminal not in custody[26] and ensured paroled sex offenders do not circumvent the GPS monitor used by law enforcement to track their whereabouts respectively.[27]

Personal life

Gray lives in Merced with his wife Cadee, and is the son-in-law of former assemblymember and congressman Gary Condit.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Biography". California State Assembly Democratic Caucus. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Miller, Thaddeus (October 13, 2014). "21st District race shaping up". Merced Sun-Star. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Biography". California State Assembly Democratic Caucus. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  4. ↑ Rosenhall, Laurel (July 15, 2013). "Assemblyman Adam Gray to testify in FBI's Calderon investigation". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  5. ↑ Rosenhall, Laurel (August 11, 2014). "Adam Gray, Debra Gravert agree to FPPC fines". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "Statement of Vote" (PDF). sos.ca.gov. California Secretary of State. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "Statement of Vote" (PDF). sos.ca.gov. California Secretary of State. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  8. ↑ "Power restored to SN mobile homes". Westside Connect. October 10, 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  9. ↑ Stone, Stephanie (October 3, 2013). "TEAM RESTORING POWER TO SANTA NELLA RESIDENTS". ABC 30. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  10. ↑ Yawger, Doane (June 5, 2014). "State funding cleared for special education wing at Merced elementary school". Merced Sun-Star. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  11. ↑ Yawger, Doane (August 15, 2014). "State schools chief praises lawmakers at groundbreaking for special education building". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  12. ↑ Carlson, Ken (July 15, 2014). "Making the case for putting Tesla battery factory in Northern San Joaquin Valley". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  13. ↑ Funez, Elias (July 17, 2014). "Could 10,000,000 sq. ft. Tesla plant call Patterson home?". Patterson Irrigator. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  14. ↑ Giwargis, Ramona (September 15, 2014). "Adam Gray receives recognition from California Rifle and Pistol Association". Merced Sun-Star. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  15. ↑ Giswargis, Ramona (September 15, 2014). "Adam Gray receives recognition from Rifle and Pistol Association". Merced Sun-Star. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  16. ↑ Sandrik, Sara (October 1, 2014). "MERCED COUNTY LAWMAKER SEEKS CHANGES WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT". ABC 30. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  17. ↑ Giwargis, Ramona (October 1, 2014). "Merced County lawmaker leads charge to modify Americans with Disabilities Act". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  18. ↑ Koseff, Alexei (July 1, 2014). "California legislators look to change campus 'rape culture'". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  19. ↑ Megerian, Chris (March 13, 2013). "Lawmakers order audit of state accounts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  20. ↑ Jewette, Christina (August 25, 2013). "State orders audit of Medi-Cal-funded rehab program". San Francisco Gate. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  21. ↑ Rascon, Jacob (September 11, 2013). "Child Protective Services Audit Request Approved After Boy's Death". NBC4 News. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  22. ↑ Parsons, Rob (October 3, 2013). "Governor signs bill aimed at Merced Irrigation District". Merced Sun-Star. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  23. ↑ Austin, Nan (September 14, 2014). "Modesto world religions course recognized in new book, state resolution". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  24. ↑ Austin, Nan (September 14, 2014). "Modesto world religions course recognized in new book, state resolution". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  25. ↑ "AB 1545". California Rifle and Pistol Association. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  26. ↑ Pagan, Gregory. "AB 1004 Bill Analysis". leginfo.ca.gov. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  27. ↑ Uribe, Sandy. "AB 2121 Bill Analysis". leginfo.ca.gov. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  28. ↑ "Adam Gray has been working hard, keep him on the job in 21st Assembly". Merced Sun-Star. October 10, 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.

External links

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