ASGRA Candidates

The elections for ASGRA's open position of President resulted in a tie between the candidates of Patrick Hunter and Jay R Gayheart. Therefore, the two candidates are now in a run off election. Below the biographies of the Presidential Candidates for your consideration. Term for this position is 2 years.

Members may vote on the candidates via our electronic ballot through 01/23/2026. If you have questions about the run off elections, please contact ASGRA Vice-President, Lenny Francioni at chevy_wizard@yahoo.com

Reeves Gift did win the election for Secretary. Reeves will be ASGRA Secretary through 2027.

We thank Gaither Pennington for his candidacy and interest in running for the secretary position.

Nominee for President - Patrick Hunter

Patrick Hunter has been a member of ASGRA since 1997. He was a rodeo competitor from 1998 - 2007. Patrick has held the positions of Social and Entertainment Chair, Public Relations Chair and been President of the Association since 2013.

Patrick's vision for the Association is an approach to be guided by our membership. Patrick wants to hear from the membership what they may want for the Association in terms of benefits, events and Association direction. Patrick believes that with strong membership support and input, ASGRA can continue to grow and be a part of the LGBTQIA+ Community.

Nominee for President - Jay R Gayheart

Jay R Gayheart is a competitor, IGRA Student Judge, and former ASGRA and IGRA titleholder. He joined ASGRA in 2022 and began competing for ASGRA in 2023, winning a couple of buckles in Steer Riding for the association. That same year he became a royalty ambassador for ASGRA by board vote and then the first Mr. Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association in almost 15 years.

As Mr. ASGRA, he championed funding new folks interested in rodeo schools leading to more than 13 new competitors over the few rodeo schools he funded. Jay R then went on to compete in the IGRA Royalty competition becoming Mr. IGRA 1st Runner-up 2025.

Outside of rodeo, Jay R is a communications and information technology Major in the Air Force working on IT and cybersecurity policy in his current position.

Finally, he's also member of the Potomac MC, a social leather group creating space and opportunities for leather people to express themselves and occasionally fundraising for charitable causes.