Morgan LaMantia
Morgan LaMantia | |
|---|---|
 LaMantia in 2023 | |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 27th district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Eddie Lucio |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 9, 1986 McAllen, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Palm Valley, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Texas, Austin (BA) St. Mary's University (JD) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Website | https://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=27 |
Morgan Jessica LaMantia[1] (born December 9, 1986)[2] is a Texas state elected official and attorney serving as a member of the Texas Senate representing district 27.
Elections
[edit]2022
[edit]On November 22, 2021, LaMantia filed to run for the Texas Senate for District 27.[3] LaMantia ran in a crowded field that included State Representative Alex Dominguez and lawyer Sara Stapleton-Berrera. LaMantia and Stapleton-Berrera advanced to a runoff in which LaMantia defeated Stapleton-Berrera.
The 27th district was the only competitive district in the 2022 elections.[4] LaMantia faced Republican Adam Hinojosa in the general election. She defeated Hinojosa by 659 votes, prompting Hinojosa to request a recount.[5] Following the recount, LaMantia's lead expanded an additional 18 votes and Hinojosa conceded.[6]
Tenure
[edit]Senate Committee Assignments
[edit]- Education: 2023 - Present
- Health and Human Services: 2023 - Present
- Nominations: 2023 - Present
- State Affairs: 2023 - Present
Senate Special Committee Assignments
[edit]- Hurricane and Tropical Storm Preparedness, Recovery, and Electricity: 2024 - Present[7]
Political Impact
[edit]88th Legislature
[edit]In her first session as a member of the Texas Senate, Senator LaMantia passed 31 bills into law and was one of only four Senators to avoid a veto from Governor Abbott.[8] She did not hesitate to reach across the aisle to find solutions, and by sticking to her principles centered around good faith, she quickly gained the trust and respect of her colleagues. By the end of the legislative session, she had earned a reputation for being trustworthy, and her willingness to work with all parties for the good of the people certainly contributed to her accomplishments.
The bills passed by Senator LaMantia touched on a wide array of topics, including K-12 and Higher Education, Health Care, Child Care, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Border Security, Flood Infrastructure, Scholarship Funding, Rural Economic Development, Safety for UIL Officials, Criminal Justice, Charitable Fund Raising, Contracting Authority and Protections, Wildlife, Insurance, and State Agency Efficiency.
Senator LaMantia worked closely with state agencies to pass priority legislation for the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Health & Human Services (HHS), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
Senator LaMantia’s tireless work in committee and on the Senate floor was recognized by organizations across Texas. As a strong advocate for public education, she received the Public Education Champion Award from Raise Your Hand Texas (RYHT).[9] As a proponent of infrastructure and economic development, she received the Champion of Infrastructure Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).[10]
Additionally, she notably passed Senate Bill 2193,[11] which established a pilot program to expand healthcare access for uninsured, working Texans. This bill allows small businesses to provide affordable primary care to employees by partnering with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC).
Personal Life
[edit]LaMantia lives in Palm Valley and owns five dogs.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "State Bar of Texas | Find A Lawyer | Morgan Jessica LaMantia". www.texasbar.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "Sen. Morgan LaMantia - Texas State Directory Online". www.txdirectory.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "Morgan LaMantia Announces Candidacy for State Senate District 27". Archived from the original on January 30, 2022.
- ^ "Republicans, bullish on South Texas, weigh how hard to compete for a state Senate seat there". July 21, 2022. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022.
- ^ "Republican requests recount after loss in battleground race for state Senate seat in South Texas". Archived from the original on December 19, 2022.
- ^ "After recount, Democrat remains winner of battleground South Texas Senate seat". Archived from the original on January 22, 2023.
- ^ Admin, Web (July 17, 2024). "Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Announces the Creation of the Senate Special Committee on Hurricane and Tropical Storm Preparedness, Recovery, and Electricity". Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ "Texas Legislature Online - Report". capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "RAISE YOUR HAND TEXAS PUBLIC EDUCATION CHAMPION AWARD". Raise Your Hand Texas. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- ^ "Champions of Infrastructure - 88th Legislative Session - American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas". acectx.site-ym.com. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "Texas Legislature Online - 88(R) History for SB 2193". www.legis.texas.gov. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- ^ "The Texas State Senate – Senator Morgan LaMantia: District 27". www.senate.texas.gov. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
Members of the Texas Senate | ||
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88th Texas Legislature (2023)
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- Living people
- 21st-century American legislators
- Democratic Party Texas state senators
- People from Cameron County, Texas
- University of Texas at Austin alumni
- St. Mary's University School of Law alumni
- Women in Texas politics
- 21st-century American women politicians
- People from Laredo, Texas
- Texas lawyers
- American women lawyers
- 1986 births
- 21st-century Texas politicians