Michael Gray

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Michael Gray

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

University of Richmond, 2006

Personal

Birthplace

Richmond, Va.

Religion

Episcopalian

Profession

Company partner & co-founder

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Michael Gray ran for election to the Richmond City Council to represent West End 1st Voter District in Virginia. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Gray completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Michael Gray was born in Richmond, Virginia. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond in 2006. Gray's career experience includes working as a partner and co-founder of Gray Ryan Companies.

Elections

2020

See also: City elections in Richmond, Virginia (2020)

General election

General election for Richmond City Council 1st Voter District

Incumbent Andreas D. Addison defeated Michael Gray and Mike Dickinson in the general election for Richmond City Council 1st Voter District on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Andreas D. Addison (Nonpartisan)	48.3	7,001
		Michael Gray (Nonpartisan)	38.2	5,538
		Mike Dickinson (Nonpartisan)	12.7	1,842
		Other/Write-in votes	0.8	115

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,496
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2020

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released September 2, 2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Michael Gray completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gray's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Mike grew up in Richmond's First District. He attended St. Christopher's School and then the University of Richmond, where he majored in English and American Studies with a minor in Religion. During these formative years, Mike became very interested in social justice and studied new ways to help the citizens of Richmond. He co-founded Gray Ryan Communications in 2009 with his best friend, Andrew Ryan.

Mike has continued to stay very active in the Richmond community since moving back. He previously served on several boards, including President of the Massey Alliance for the Massey Cancer Center, Government Affairs Chair for the Richmond Business Council, Commissioner for the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, and External Affairs Committee for the Better Housing Coalition. He currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Member of the Board for the Public Relations Society of America Richmond Chapter's Foundation, and Advisory Board member for the Urban Land Institute Virginia District.

Recognizing the importance of neighbors working together, Mike was instrumental in organizing the Monument Avenue Park Civic Association for his neighborhood. He has lived in the First District for the vast majority of his life and purchased his home in the District several years ago.

He was named "Top 40 Under 40" by Style Weekly in 2015 and is a graduate of both Leadership Metro Richmond and LEAD Virginia.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Leadership Experience
• History of Giving Back to Richmond Community
• Responsive

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, Infrastructure, Affordable Housing, Accountability, and Growing the Richmond Economy

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

He was not famous but I will always look up to Rev. Dr. David Anderson who was my school chaplain. He was one of the most honorable individuals I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and he was committed to making Richmond a better place.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and transparency.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

The ability to listen to constituents and act on their behalf. Residents deserve someone who will stand up and advocate for them.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

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