Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONI, Robert A. Reynolds, Jr. certify that:

|1) | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Graybar Electric Company, Inc.;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
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|2) | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state amaterial fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statementswere made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;                          
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|3) | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairlypresent in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of,and for, the periods presented in this report;                                             
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|4) | The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controlsand procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financialreporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
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|5) | The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internalcontrol over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board ofdirectors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):                                     
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Date: March 10, 2009

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| | /s/ ROBERT A. REYNOLDS, JR.              
| | Robert A. Reynolds, Jr.                  
| | President and Principal Executive Officer

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