Born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Gray moved to Harrisburg with his family at a young age due to his father's job.

[1] Gray started his law career in 1969 as a VISTA attorney with Neighborhood Legal Services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

[3] In July 2004, Gray was a highly regarded Defense attorney, and had formed an exploratory committee for his run for Mayor.

[4] He officially announced his candidacy on the front steps of his home on 12 February 2005, citing the city's rising financial deficit as an important issue he would fix.

[5] At the 4 August 2005 debate with incumbent Mayor Charlie Smithgall he continued to argue that the city's 4 million dollar deficit was the major issue, when his opponent (seeking a third term) claimed local crime as the most important priority.