Gayle Wright

Gayle M. Wright (born 1951) is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.[3][4]

Wright is originally from Port Huron, Michigan.[5] Wright earned a degree in education from the University of Akron and oursued graduate studies in correctional counseling at Gannon University.[5] Prior to elective office, she taught high school and middle school in Erie.[5] She served three terms on the Erie City Council and was elected City Council President in 1997.[5]

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.[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 a strong second with 39.1%.[9] In 2002, she was named to the PoliticsPA list of Best Dressed Legislators.[10] She lost the 2002 Democratic primary election to Florindo Fabrizio.[11]