Sangamon Sun

Illinois 95th State House District candidate Kent Gray is enjoying the endorsement of Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville).

“Unlike his opponent, Kent Gray will not compromise his principles and vote to increase your taxes,” Bailey said. “Families all across the state are feeling the impact of high gas prices thanks to weak-kneed Republican legislators like (Rep.) Tim Butler (R-Springfield), who voted to double the state’s motor fuel tax. We need legislators who will put working families first, and in the 95th District race, that candidate is Kent Gray.”

In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill — which Butler voted for — doubling the state's gas tax. Illinois has the second-highest gas tax in the country. Lawmakers are discussing the possibility of lowering or eliminating the tax.

“One of the major factors that convinced me to run this year, is that Republicans provided the votes to pass a 100% increase in the Illinois gas tax," Gray posted on Facebook, Sangamon Sun previously reported. "That amounts to more than a billion dollars a year in new taxes. But it's worse. Their tax increase goes up by about another 5% of the original tax each and every year in the future. Forever.” 

Gray said the gas tax is affecting the trucking industry. 

“I'm most concerned about a state representative who joined with the Democrats to double Illinois's gas tax right before you know, we're in a situation now where this is just killing the trucking industry and individuals trying to drive to work,” Gray told Sangamon Sun.

Gray is a Springfield-based attorney running for state representative in the 95th District against Butler in the June 28 Republican primary. He previously served on the Lincoln Land Community College Board of Trustees for almost two decades. Gray also worked as the Illinois Comptroller's executive assistant and as a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Industry's staff and in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Gray worked on former President Donald Trump's campaigns in Illinois and Missouri. He has over 20 years of experience assisting municipalities and other local government bodies with logistical and legal concerns.