Judge Gray Takes Leave to Study Race for House
Orange County Superior Court Judge James P. Gray, who has suggested legalizing drugs to end a losing drug war, will take a leave of absence beginning today to consider a run for U.S. Congress.
Gray, 52, who has indicated an interest in the 46th Congressional District seat, announced his leave in a letter Tuesday to court employees.
“Recently, I sent a letter to [the chief justice] saying I would be taking a leave of absence from our great Court in order seriously to explore my possible candidacy for Congress. . . ,” the letter reads. “I am taking this leave because I feel that a sitting judge should not be publicly involved in partisan politics.”
Gray, a Republican, would face incumbent Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) and Anaheim City Councilman Bob Zemel, who has hired former Christian Coalition executive director Ralph Reed as a consultant.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
