Gina Calanni
{{short description|American politician and author}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name=Gina Nicole Calanni
|image =State Representative (cropped).jpg
|caption=
|office= Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 132nd district
|term_start=January 8, 2019
|term_end= January 12, 2021
|preceded= Mike Schofield
|succeeded= Mike Schofield
|party=Democratic
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1977|12|17}}
|death_date=
|death_place=
|death_cause=
|resting_place=
|birth_place=Austin, Texas, US
|occupation=
|residence=Katy, Texas, US
|spouse=
|children=
|alma_mater=
}}
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.{{cite web |title=Texas House Member Rep. Calanni, Gina District 132 |url=https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=132 |website=Texas House of Representatives |accessdate=7 August 2019}} On November 6, 2018,{{Cite web|url=https://www.reformaustin.org/2018/11/16/gina-calanni-defeats-mike-schofield/|title=Gina Calanni defeats Mike Schofield|date=2018-11-16|website=Reform Austin|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-25}} she defeated two-term Republican incumbent Mike Schofield—to whom she later lost in a reelection bid—and became the first woman to represent Texas House District 132.{{Cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/directory/districts/tx-house/132/|title=Texas House District 132|last=Tribune|first=The Texas|website=The Texas Tribune|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}}
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.interment.net/data/us/tx/bexar/ftsamnat/c/ft_sam_c01.htm|title=Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery - Surnames C - Bexar County, Texas|website=www.interment.net|access-date=2019-07-25}} 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,{{cite news |last1=Tilove |first1=Jonathan |title=Will freshmen Democrats make a mark on the Texas House? |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20190111/will-freshmen-democrats-make-mark-on-texas-house |accessdate=7 August 2019 |work=The Statesman |date=13 January 2019 |location=Austin, Texas}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stedwards.edu/articles/featured-stories/2019/02/54-alumni-who-inspire|title=54 Alumni Who Inspire {{!}} St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas|website=www.stedwards.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Iracheta |first1=Michelle |title=Representative-elect Gina Calanni sets agenda for the 86th legislative session |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/katy/news/article/Representative-elect-Gina-Calanni-sets-agenda-for-13467164.php |accessdate=7 August 2019 |work=Chron |date=December 17, 2018 |location=Houston, Texas}}
Calanni has three sons enrolled in Katy ISD schools. They encouraged her to run for office, and were present for her swearing in ceremony.{{Cite web|url=https://www.coveringkaty.com/news/katy-s-gina-calanni-takes-the-oath-in-the-texas/article_c46966ce-dfd3-5481-816f-9e506a8d466a.html|title=Katy's Gina Calanni takes the Oath in the Texas Legislature|last=Spellman|first=Dennis|website=Covering Katy News|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}} In 2014, she was offered a multi-book contract with Harper Collins,{{Cite web |title=Gina Calanni Author |url=https://www.harpercollins.com/author/cr-126492/gina-calanni/|website=HarperCollins Publishers |language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-25}} and she completed her first marathon.{{Cite web|url=http://results.houstonmarathon.com/2014/|title=Chevron Houston Marathon 2014|website=results.houstonmarathon.com|access-date=2019-07-25}}
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.{{cite news |last1=Kent |first1=Roy |title=Democrat Gina Calanni slips past incumbent Mike Schofield in District 132 by .07 percent of the vote |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/katy/news/article/Democrat-Calanni-slips-past-incumbent-Schofield-13375818.php |accessdate=7 August 2019 |work=Houston Chronicle |date=8 November 2018 |location=Houston, Texas}} She was 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.{{Cite web|url=https://communityimpact.com/houston/katy/city-county/2019/01/08/new-state-district-132-rep-gina-calanni-discusses-her-priorities-for-86th-texas-legislative-session/|title=New state District 132 Rep. Gina Calanni discusses her priorities for 86th Texas legislative session|last=Para|first=Jen|date=2019-01-08|website=Community Impact Newspaper|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-25}}
During the 86th Legislative Session, Calanni authored a bill{{Cite web|url=https://abc13.com/5100242/|title=State Representative wants to limit 'golden parachute' for superintendents|date=2019-01-22|website=ABC13 Houston|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}} to limit severance packages of school superintendents that resign to one year's salary.{{cite news |last1=Kent |first1=Roy |title=State Rep. Gina Calanni's first bill takes aim at payments to outgoing superintendents |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/katy/news/article/State-Rep-Gina-Calanni-s-first-bill-takes-aim-13541825.php |accessdate=7 August 2019 |work=Houston Chronicle |date=17 January 2019 |location=Houston, Texas}} An advocate for access to healthcare, Calanni supported an amendment{{Cite web|url=https://www.texasobserver.org/anti-planned-parenthood-senate-bill-22-texas-house-republicans/|title=Texans 'Will Die': House Republicans Pass Anti-Planned Parenthood Bill After Emotional Debate|date=2019-05-18|website=The Texas Observer|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-25}} 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,{{Cite web|url=https://capitol.texas.gov/reports/report.aspx?ID=author&LegSess=86R&Code=A3785|title=Texas Legislature Online - Report|website=capitol.texas.gov|access-date=2019-07-25}} including a bill{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/katy/news/article/Katy-police-to-enforce-commercial-motor-vehicle-13882908.php|title=Katy police to enforce commercial motor vehicle laws|last=Zurawski|first=Karen|date=2019-05-24|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2019-07-25}} to allow the Katy Police Department to enforce overweight, commercial vehicle standards. At one of her town halls,{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/katy/news/article/State-Rep-Gina-Calanni-reviews-legislative-14109383.php|title=State Rep. Gina Calanni reviews legislative session at town hall meeting|last=Zurawski|first=Karen|date=2019-07-19|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2019-07-25}} 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
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.ginacalanni.com/ Gina Calanni personal website]
- [https://ballotpedia.org/Gina_Calanni Gina Calanni on Ballotpedia]
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{{succession box
| title=Member of the Texas House of Representatives for the 132nd district
| years=2019 - 2021
| before=Mike Schofield
| after= Mike Schofield
}}
{{s-end}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Calanni, Gina}}
Category:People from Katy, Texas
Category:Politicians from Austin, Texas
Category:Democratic Party members of the Texas House of Representatives
Category:Women state legislators in Texas
Category:21st-century American women politicians