Gina Calanni

Gina Nicole Calanni (born December 17, 1977) is a former Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives from House District 132 in the western part of Harris County, including Katy, Cypress, and West Houston.[1] On November 6, 2018,[2] she defeated two-term Republican incumbent Mike Schofield whom she lost to in a reelection bid, and became the first woman to represent Texas House District 132.[3]

Gina Nicole Calanni
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 132nd district
In office
January 8, 2019 – January 12, 2021
Preceded byMike Schofield
Succeeded byMike Schofield
Personal details
Born (1977-12-17) December 17, 1977
Austin, Texas, US
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Katy, Texas, US

Biography

Born in Austin, Calanni was adopted shortly after her birth. She lived in several states and overseas during her father Joseph Calanni's military career.[4] He served as a member of the Old Guard. As an adult, she found her birth family through social media.

Calanni graduated from Ellison High School in Killeen. In 2005, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from St. Edward's University,[5][6][7] after attending the University of Texas in Arlington. She holds a paralegal certificate from the University of North Texas. While attending the University of Texas at Arlington, Calanni obtained her Master Scuba Diver certification. She has worked as a paralegal and as a finance director.[6]

Calanni has three sons[5][6] enrolled in Katy ISD schools. They encouraged her to run for office,[5] and were present for her swearing in ceremony.[8] In 2014, she was offered a multi-book contract with Harper Collins,[9] and she completed her first marathon.[10]

In 2017, Calanni served as a gala chairperson for the Elijah Rising. She continues to volunteer with other organizations that combat human trafficking and Habitat for Humanity.

Political career

On November 6, 2018, Calanni unseated Republican incumbent Mike Schofield by 49.21 to 49.14 percent.[11] She is the first woman to represent House District 132. During her campaign and tenure as a Texas state representative, she made public school funding, teacher pay, and property tax reform her main priorities.[12]

During the 86th Legislative Session, Calanni authored a bill[13] to limit severance packages of school superintendents that resign to one year's salary.[14] An advocate for access to healthcare, Calanni supported an amendment[15] to Senate Bill 22, and shared personal testimony of having cervical cancer, that would have been identified earlier if she had been able to afford the doctor visit.

Calanni passed eleven bills during the 86th Legislative Session,[16] including a bill[17] to allow the Katy Police Department to enforce overweight, commercial vehicle standards. At one of her town halls,[18] Calanni highlighted House Bill 3845, which she authored and successfully passed. Before passage of this legislation, forensic analysts were required to travel to various cities and counties to testify in judicial proceedings in-person, taking away from their casework.

References
  1. "Texas House Member Rep. Calanni, Gina District 132". Texas House of Representatives. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  2. "Gina Calanni defeats Mike Schofield". Reform Austin. 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  3. Tribune, The Texas. "Texas House District 132". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  4. "Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery - Surnames C - Bexar County, Texas". www.interment.net. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  5. Tilove, Jonathan (13 January 2019). "Will freshmen Democrats make a mark on the Texas House?". The Statesman. Austin, Texas. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  6. Iracheta, Michelle (December 17, 2018). "Representative-elect Gina Calanni sets agenda for the 86th legislative session". Chron. Houston, Texas. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  7. "54 Alumni Who Inspire | St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas". www.stedwards.edu. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  8. Spellman, Dennis. "Katy's Gina Calanni takes the Oath in the Texas Legislature". Covering Katy News. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  9. "Gina Calanni Author". HarperCollins Publishers. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  10. "Chevron Houston Marathon 2014". results.houstonmarathon.com. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  11. Kent, Roy (8 November 2018). "Democrat Gina Calanni slips past incumbent Mike Schofield in District 132 by .07 percent of the vote". Houston Chronicle. Houston, Texas. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  12. Para, Jen (2019-01-08). "New state District 132 Rep. Gina Calanni discusses her priorities for 86th Texas legislative session". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  13. "State Representative wants to limit 'golden parachute' for superintendents". ABC13 Houston. 2019-01-22. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  14. Kent, Roy (17 January 2019). "State Rep. Gina Calanni's first bill takes aim at payments to outgoing superintendents". Houston Chronicle. Houston, Texas. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  15. "Texans 'Will Die': House Republicans Pass Anti-Planned Parenthood Bill After Emotional Debate". The Texas Observer. 2019-05-18. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  16. "Texas Legislature Online - Report". capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  17. Zurawski, Karen (2019-05-24). "Katy police to enforce commercial motor vehicle laws". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  18. Zurawski, Karen (2019-07-19). "State Rep. Gina Calanni reviews legislative session at town hall meeting". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
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