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Ballotpedia: Denise Gray

Denise is originally from Lexington, Kentucky. She earned her bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Louisville and her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Gray serves on the board of the Autism Society Bluegrass and the Wisdom Council of the Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium. She lives in Lexington's 6th District.

Denise previously worked as an educator for Fayette County Public Schools, as director of communications for the Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood, and president of Our Commonwealth.

Denise Gray currently serves as the City Councilwoman for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's 6th District. She was first elected in December 2022 and is serving her first term. Previously, Gray ran for Kentucky State Senate in 2018 but did not win.

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Believes there is a need for more sidewalks and less traffic on Liberty Road.

Supports increasing pedestrian accessibility.

- Supports increasing pedestrian accessibility.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of August 20, 2024, Denise Gray’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Taxes

Believes Lexington is becoming "too expensive" for both newcomers and lifelong residents due to decades of population growth.

Prioritizes increasing the availability of affordable housing.

- Prioritizes increasing the availability of affordable housing.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports community engagement through digital town hall meetings to address important issues such as policing and race.

- Supports community engagement through digital town hall meetings to address important issues such as policing and race.

Public Services

Public Safety

Economy

Believes youth need opportunities to learn essential life skills, such as employment education, budgeting, and social activities.

Believes every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of zip code.

Prioritizes increasing equity in educational outcomes across neighborhoods.

- Believes youth need opportunities to learn essential life skills, such as employment education, budgeting, and social activities.
- Prioritizes increasing equity in educational outcomes across neighborhoods.

Education

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Denise Gray

Denise Gray was born, raised, and continues to live in the 6th District of Lexington. She graduated from Bryan Station High School in 1997 and attended the University of Louisville, where she received a B.A. in Communications. She is family-oriented and strongly supported by her family and friends.

Denise Gray has worked with Fayette County Public Schools, helping students at Booker T. Washington Intermediate Academy, Harrison Elementary, Crawford Middle, and Bryan Station High Schools. She has also worked with the Kentucky Education Association as a member of its Program & Budget Committee and was a KEA Fellow.

As of September 4, 2024, Denise Gray’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes that traffic increase, safety, and accessibility for the disabled are important transportation issues.

Believes it is important to evaluate housing costs.

Believes we must evaluate current and future housing costs.

Plans to use technology and host Zoom town halls to ensure transparency and accessibility.

Wants to offer more programs like those once provided by MicroCity Government and Park and Recreations and make parks more accessible.

Supports public services, as evidenced by participation in the Wisdom Council of the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium.

Supports public services, as evidenced by serving as a board member of the Autism Society Bluegrass and Wisdom Council of the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium.

Promises to support policies that enhance public services.

Supports community engagement through digital town hall meetings to address important issues.

Believes a true community is built on concern for others, connection, and responsibility.

Promises to work towards creating equitable opportunities for "our most vulnerable citizens."

Believes that "change starts with strengthening our community."

Promises to be "honest, reliable, and trustworthy" and "wants to know your concerns and solutions."

Believes unequal access to services and opportunities exists within the community.

Believes safety from harm or theft is essential in neighborhoods.

Believes collaboration with organizations, the Lexington Police Department, and other agencies within LFUCG is essential for improving public safety.

Believes in advocating for justice and public safety.

Believes in addressing public safety through community engagement, as demonstrated by a town hall meeting on policing and other issues that received media coverage across the Commonwealth.

Believes community safety is an investment.

Believes "justice is as much about grace as it is the consequence."

Promises to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community.

Believes that making Lexington an attractive place to raise a family will also make it attractive for businesses.

Believes Lexington will face budget challenges after federal COVID-19 funds are depleted.

Believes in the importance of keeping children engaged in positive and safe activities.

Worked with the Kentucky Education Association as a member of its Program & Budget Committee and as a KEA Fellow.

Believes in making a positive community impact through education, and has worked with students in several local schools.

Served as a member of the Kentucky Education Association’s Program & Budget Committee and as a KEA Fellow.

- Urban county council members make up the legislative body of the Lexington-Fayette County government and are responsible for the public's health, safety, and welfare. Its legislative duties include enacting ordinances, levying taxes, and adopting a budget. 
- The city council has the authority to investigate all activities of the city government and its employees. 
- The urban county council has 12 district council members and three at-large council members. 
- Council members voted to represent a single district serve two-year terms and those voted at-large serve four-year terms. Elections take place in even-numbered years. 