By Morgan Bryce
Editor

A long, grueling campaign process in the House of Representatives District 83 race ended in a decisive victory for Opelika native Jeremy Gray during last Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Winning by 4,801 votes over Republican challenger Michael J. Holden II, Gray fills the seat once held by George “Tootsie” Bandy Sr., who served from 1994-2018.
Because of the solid, supportive efforts of his campaign workers and volunteers, Gray said he is ready for the challenge of representing his district and providing citizens a listening ear and willingness to address their concerns and issues.
“The first issue I will address is creating more opportunities for the people of District 83 to voice the issues that they collectively believe is most important for the area. I will take with me that collective voice as I serve on committees and help create a balanced state budget that allows for immediate resources allocated to both Russell County and Lee County alike,” Gray said.
“This perspective gives me a roadmap for creating relationships with other representatives who have championed for the same issues.”
Gray was sworn in last Thursday in a ceremony held at Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Opelika, the beginning of his journey toward “being the change” in Montgomery for District 83 constituents.
“Simply amazing is the only way to describe realizing a dream that I never knew I had. The people wanted change and it was the people who put me in office, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity given to me by the voters,” Gray said. “The moment was surreal.”