Chuck Gray is an American politician and the secretary of state of Wyoming, having won the 2022 election unopposed. Gray was previously a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives representing the 57th District.

Career

Prior to his election to the Wyoming House of Representatives, Gray had a radio talk show on Casper radio station KVOC.^[1]

Wyoming House of Representatives

In 2014, Gray challenged incumbent State Representative Thomas Lockhart in the Republican primary but was defeated, receiving 48% of the vote to Lockhart's 52%.^[2]

When Lockhart announced his retirement, Gray again announced his candidacy for the seat in 2016. He defeated Ray Pacheco in the Republican primary with 59% of the vote and defeated Democrat Audrey Cotherman in the general election with 64% of the vote.^[3]

Gray ran for reelection in 2018. In the Republican primary he faced former Casper Mayor Daniel Sandoval, who defeated with 61% of the vote.^[4][5] Gray defeated Democrat Jane Ifland in the general election with 61% of the vote.^[6]

In 2020, Gray was unopposed in the Republican primary. He again faced Democrat Jane Ifland in the general election and defeated her with 69% of the vote.^[7]

In his first session as a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives, he was the lead sponsor of the ultrasound bill, the first pro-life bill passed in 30 years. He was also the lead sponsor of Wyoming's voter ID law, which was signed into law in 2021. During his time in the legislature, he served on numerous committees, including Minerals, Business & Economic Development; Agriculture, State and Public Lands; Revenue; Judiciary; and Management Audit.

Wyoming Secretary of State

In March 2021, Gray announced that he was running for the Republican nomination for Wyoming's at-large congressional district in the 2022 election, challenging incumbent Liz Cheney in a primary after the Wyoming GOP censured Cheney for her vote to impeach Donald Trump.^[8] In September 2021, Donald Trump endorsed Harriet Hageman in the primary which led to Gray dropping out to consolidate the anti-Cheney vote around Hageman.^[9]

In March 2022, Gray announced he would run for Wyoming Secretary of State in 2022. He was endorsed by Donald Trump and he won the Republican primary.^[10][11] Secretary Gray is known for his conservative record. He is a six-time CPAC award winner, winning the award for his conservative voting record each year in the legislature. He has also received Wyoming Right to Life's Platinum Award for his pro-life record.

Political positions

Gray has been described by the Associated Press as "one of Wyoming's most Trump-like legislators". Gray has advocated banning ballot drop boxes and instituting mandatory hand-counted election audits.^[12][13]