Gabriel J. Campana
American politician
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Gabriel J. Campana is an American politician. He served as the 39th mayor of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He assumed office in January 2008 and won re-elections in 2011 and 2015 before leaving in 2020. On October 7, 2019, he announced that he was running a write-in campaign for mayor in the November election.[1]
Gabriel J. Campana | |
|---|---|
Campana at the Little League Grand Slam Parade 2011 | |
| Mayor of Williamsport | |
| In office January 18, 2008 – January 6, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Mary B. Wolf |
| Succeeded by | Derek Slaughter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Party | Republican |
Political career
Campana has been the mayor of Williamsport, Pennsylvania since 2008. He won re-election in 2011 by a 74% to 26% margin.
Campana is a supporter of fracking and the natural gas industry.[2] He purchased a natural gas-powered car, but ended up getting rid of it since it wasn't economical.[3]
Allegations
After a July 8 incident, Sonia C. Campana filed a temporary protection from abuse order against Gabriel Campana on August 1, 2016. Campana's wife claims he was physically and sexually abusive.[4] This court order was dismissed upon request while a similar provision is found within a custody agreement.[5]
In an October 15, 2020 complaint filed in U.S. Middle District Court, Williamsport Police Sergeant Jody Miller alleged that Campana attempted to misuse his position to influence a personal legal matter and he later retaliated against him for exposing corruption within the police department. Miller, who played a key role in reform efforts targeting overtime fraud and mismanagement, claimed Campana reversed his stance on reform under political pressure and engineered a hostile work environment after appointing a different police chief. The suit named several city officials as co-defendants and outlines a pattern of harassment and retaliation, including being passed over for promotions and subjected to workplace hostility. Miller sought a jury trial, over $75,000 in damages, and other relief.[6][needs update]
Personal life
Campana is one of 11 siblings born and raised in Williamsport. His father, the late Dr. Louis F. Campana, was a local physician and his late mother Rose Campana, was a nurse. He attended St. Alban's Prep School in Washington, D.C., has been a Visiting College professor, is a graduate of Temple University, and has a doctorate degree. He is an author of three books, has a podcast, and is an economic development consultant.[citation needed]
Campana currently serves as a corrections officer.[7]