Ray displayed a blunt, sometimes confrontational, style on the campaign trail, for which she would later become known. During a visit with the Dorian Society, a Seattle gay rights group, she was asked by one member if she had met any gay federal employees and if they ever felt under pressure. Ray responded, "I don't know any – you can't tell by looking at them," drawing applause from attendees. In another instance, she declared "Seattle Post-Intelligencer" reporter Shelby Scates, who had deluged her with tough questions on the campaign trail, would "learn what the words "persona non grata" really mean" after her election.