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.
Campana has been the mayor of Williamsport, Pennsylvania since 2008. He is the only Williamsport Mayor in modern times to win 3 terms. During his tenure, crime has been cut and economic development has increased. He was responsible for transforming the downtown adding three hotels, Kohls's Department Store, an arena, and much more. Campana won re-election in 2011 by a 74% to 26% margin.
Campana is a supporter of fracking and the natural gas industry. He purchased a natural gas-powered car, but ended up getting rid of it since it wasn't economical.
He was a school teacher and 12 year member of the City Council before being elected mayor.
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. This court order was dismissed upon request while a similar provision is found within a custody agreement.
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.
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. Campana currently serves as a corrections officer.