POLITICS: A longtime judge takes an unpaid leave of absence to run for
Congress.

Superior Court Judge James P. Gray on Wednesday officially joined the line
that is forming to try and wrestle away the congressional seat now occupied
by Rep. Loretta Sanchez.

In announcing his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 46th
Congressional District, Gray on Wednesday also took a leave of absence from
the bench.

"It's an unpaid leave of absence, so I'll be without an income for a
while,"said Gray,a municipal or superior court judge in Orange County for
14 years.

Gray, 52, said that during his tenure he has seen up close just about every
problem that society has to offer preparing him for Congress.

He has drawn attention for his statements that the nation's war on drugs
has been a failure and that new solutions need to be found.

He also supports abolishing the Internal Revenue Service and establishing a
simpler and fairer taxcollection system.

Sanchez, DGarden Grove, won a razorthin victory last fall over longtime
incumbent Robert K. Dornan. Nearly a year later, that election still is
being contested, with allegations of voter fraud leveled by Dornan.

Since Sanchez took office, more than a halfdozen local Republicans have
been rumored to be considering a challenge. Also expected to seek the
Republican nomination are Lisa Hughes, a familylaw attorney and community
activist, and Bob Zemel, an Anaheim councilman.

Gray said he is not deterred by other Republican candidates, but said the
primary campaign could cost up to $700,000. He has just started to raise
funds, he said.