Naomi Gonzalez

Naomi R. Gonzalez
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 76th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 2011
Preceded by Norma Chávez
Personal details
Born June 4, 1978 (1978-06-04) (age 33)
Political party Democratic
Residence El Paso, Texas
Website naomi2010.com

Naomi R. Gonzalez (born June 4, 1978) is an attorney and politician from El Paso, Texas. She is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, where she represents the 76th district in El Paso County.[1]

Contents

Early life and career

Gonzalez graduated from Jefferson High School in El Paso, before going to Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio and law school at Saint Mary's University. On graduating law school, she worked at El Paso law firms before joining the El Paso County Attorney's office in 2007 as an Assistant County Attorney.[2]

Political career

2010 campaign for state representative

Gonzalez defeated seven-term incumbent Norma Chávez in the 2010 Democratic primary runoff to capture a seat in the Texas House, capitalizing on a series of high-profile controversies surrounding Chávez. Despite running against a long-time incumbent, Gonzalez's campaign received the support of numerous local political players, including the El Paso Times, state senator Eliot Shapleigh and other members of the county's legislative delegation. The race was highly negative and personal, with each candidate launching attacks against the other.[3]

In the Democratic primary election held on March 2, Gonzalez polled 48% of the vote to Chávez's 46%, with a minor candidate taking the remainder.[4] Because no candidate won an absolute majority, a runoff election was held on April 13, 2010 with Gonzalez defeating Chávez by 53% to 47% – a margin of 361 votes.[5] No Republican filed for the seat and Gonzalez won the general election unopposed.

In office

Gonzalez took the oath of office in January 2011.

Personal

During the 2010 campaign, Chávez drew attention on several occasions to Gonzalez's sexual orientation, saying that her opponent was a lesbian. Gonzelez did not deny the charge but criticized Chávez's tactics and accused her of trying to run from her record.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Naomi Gonzalez ousts Norma Chávez: 'People decided to restore integrity'". El Paso Times. 14 April 2010. http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_14877857?source=most_viewed. Retrieved 2010-04-14. 
  2. ^ "Primary Color: HD-76". The Texas Tribune. 18 February 2010. http://www.texastribune.org/stories/2010/feb/18/primary-colors-hd76/. Retrieved 2010-04-14. 
  3. ^ "Chavez, Gonzalez Finish Campaigning In Controversial Race". KFOX. 12 April 2010. http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/23131262/detail.html. Retrieved 2010-04-14. 
  4. ^ "Texas Secretary of State: Democratic primary results". http://enr.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/mar02_149_state.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-14. 
  5. ^ "El Paso County Elections Department: Democratic runoff results". http://www.co.el-paso.tx.us/elections/2010-04-13/final.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-17. 
  6. ^ "Rep. Norma Chávez baits Naomi Gonzalez about sexual orientation". El Paso Times. 4 April 2010. http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_14817147?source=most_viewed. Retrieved 2010-04-14. 

External links