Gayle Wright Explained

Gayle M. Wright
State House:Pennsylvania
District:2nd
Term Start:September 5, 2001[1]
Term End:November 30, 2002[2]
Constituency:Part of Erie County
Predecessor:Italo Cappabianca
Successor:Florindo Fabrizio
Birth Date:3 February 1951
Birth Place:Port Huron, Michigan, U.S.
Party:Democrat
Alma Mater:University of Akron
Spouse:Donald E. Wright, Jr.
Children:2 children

Gayle Marie Wright (born February 3, 1951) is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 2nd district.[3] [4]

Biography

Originally from Port Huron, Michigan, Wright attended Port Huron Northern High School, graduating in 1969. She earned a degree in education from the University of Akron and pursued graduate studies in correctional counseling at Gannon University.

Prior to elective office, she taught high school and middle school in Erie, Pennsylvania. She also served three terms on the Erie City Council, and was elected as city council president in 1997.[5]

Wright was subsequently elected to represent the 2nd legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a special election on August 14, 2001, following the May 2001 death of Italo Cappabianca.[6] She won a controversial endorsement by the local Democratic Committee over Cappabianca's widow, Linda.[7] Cappabianca decided against mounting a formal write-in campaign, citing time constraints, but encouraged voters to write her in as an independent candidate.[8] Wright won the August 14 contest with 48.2% of the vote, with Cappabianca placing second with 39.1%.[6]

In 2002, Wright was named to the PoliticsPA list of Best Dressed Legislators.[9]

She lost the 2002 Democratic primary election to Florindo Fabrizio.[10]

Wright was elected as a delegate to the 2004 and 2008 Democratic National Convention.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SESSION OF 2001 - 185TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 46 . Legislative Journal . Pennsylvania House of Representatives . September 5, 2001 .
  2. Per Article II, Section 2 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, the legislative session ended on November 30, 2002
  3. Web site: Gayle Wright . April 28, 2024 . PA House of Representatives Archives.
  4. Web site: Gayle M. Wright (Democrat) . Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile . Pennsylvania House of Representatives . https://web.archive.org/web/20011202053203/http://www2.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/memberinfo/house_bio.cfm?districtnumber=2 . December 2, 2001 . dead.
  5. Web site: Representative: Gayle Wright . Official Democratic Caucus Biography . Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus . https://web.archive.org/web/20020707224618/http://www.pahouse.com/wright/ . July 7, 2002 . dead.
  6. Web site: 2001 Special Election for the 2nd Legislative District . Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information . Pennsylvania Department of State . 2004 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081128114638/http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=120&OfficeID=13 . November 28, 2008.
  7. News: North Briefs: 7/25/01 . Pittsburgh Post Gazette . July 25, 2001 .
  8. News: North Briefs: 8/5/01 . Pittsburgh Post Gazette . August 5, 2001 .
  9. Web site: Sy Snyder's Best Dressed Legislators . . The Publius Group . 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020803093934/http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/best_dressed.htm . August 3, 2002 . dead.
  10. Web site: 2002 General Primary - Representative in the General Assembly . Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information . Pennsylvania Department of State . 2004 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080626071028/http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=6&OfficeID=13 . June 26, 2008.