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| Local resident running for Congress |
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By Steven Jackson Today Publications Former Arizona Senate Majority leader and Queen Creek resident Chuck Gray is running for Congress, in whatever district his hometown of Queen Creek ends up being a part of. Although congressional district lines have not been finalized, the current local district has been vacated by Representative Jeff Flake.  Gray believes in getting a head start on the campaign and is trying to reach all of the citizens he can. To that end, he and supporters walked the streets of San Tan Valley in the area east of Gantzel between Combs and Ocotillo on Sat. June 18, 2011. They will be combing the streets and spending time with local residents in other neighborhoods in the coming weeks. Without knowing where the district lines will be drawn, Gray is currently content to pound the pavement and meet as many people as possible.” I don't know where the lines are yet but we're going to reach all the voters we can,” he enthused. “Somewhere in the area I live will be the district, I want to meet the voters and get to know them now.” In his own words, Gray is running as "a conservative you can trust," and cites his Goldwater Institute A- rating as proof of a loyally conservative history. He vows to oppose any new taxes and would like to reduce the tax burden, while supporting tax reform. Gray explained that he also supports repealing the healthcare bill in favor of a free market approach. "The free market is best equipped to provide affordable health care if government will get out of the business of over regulating the industry," he said. He is also pro-life and against cap-and-trade legislation, noting, "CO2 is a naturally occurring gas exhaled by each of us every day.” “I refuse to tax the very air we breathe in a severely misplaced belief that we can affect 'climate change,'" Gray said. Gray touts his A+ rating by the NRA in support of his record on gun rights, and was a prime sponsor of SB 1070. He believes in enhancing border security through employer sanctions. "Those who cross our borders illegally are a tremendous strain on our economy, emergency care, hospitals and criminal justice system,” he said. Before walking the San Tan Valley area, Gray explained that his main goals are to eliminate the deficit, reduce the size of government and secure the border. “That's what we're focusing on because that's what the voters in the East Valley want," he said. Gray has already met with local Tea Party members to share his message. He's also asking anyone interested to save the date for a meet and greet at San Tan Flat on Thurs., July 14. For more information on the campaign, or to schedule a meet and greet, visit ChuckGray.com. |