Gayle Wright

Who is Gayle Wright?

Gayle M. Wright is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Wright is originally from Port Huron, Michigan. Wright earned a degree in education from the University of Akron and oursued graduate studies in correctional counseling at Gannon University. Prior to elective office, she taught high school and middle school in Erie. She served three terms on the Erie City Council and was elected City Council President in 1997.

She was 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. She won a controversial endorsement by the local Democratic Committee over Cappabianca's widow, Linda. Cappabianca decided against mounting a formal write-in campaign, citing time constraints, but encouraged voters to write her in as an independent candidate. Wright won the August 14 contest with 48.2% of the vote, with Cappabianca placing a strong second with 39.1%. In 2002, she was named to the PoliticsPA list of Best Dressed Legislators. She lost the 2002 Democratic primary election to Florindo Fabrizio.