David Catania

David Catania
At-large D.C. Councilmember
In office
1998–2015
Preceded by Arrington Dixon
Succeeded by Elissa Silverman
Personal details
Born (1968-01-16) January 16, 1968
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Political party Republican (Before 2004)
Independent (2004–present)
Alma mater Georgetown University

David A. Catania (born January 16, 1968)[1] is an American independent politician and lawyer from Washington, D.C. He was formerly an at-large member of the Council of the District of Columbia, which he gave up to pursue an unsuccessful run in the 2014 mayoral election.

Catania ran for mayor in the 2014 Washington mayoral election.

Biography

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Catania is a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and Georgetown University Law Center. He was elected to the Council as a Republican in a 1997 special election with 7% voter turnout,[2] but elected to a full term in 1998, and re-elected in 2002 and 2006.[3][4] Catania lives in the Dupont Circle neighborhood.[4]

Catania was the first openly gay member of the D.C. Council and one of a small number of openly gay Republican office-holders.[3] This led to a conflict within his party when President George W. Bush spoke in favor of an amendment to the United States Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Catania opposed the amendment and became a vocal opponent of Bush's 2004 re-election. In response, the District of Columbia Republican Committee decertified him as a delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention.[5] Catania announced his endorsement of the Democratic presidential candidate, John Kerry, one week prior to the convention.[6] In September 2004, Catania left the party and became an independent, citing his displeasure with its direction on urban and social issues.[7][8] He was re-elected in 2006 and 2010 as an independent.[3]

Catania in 2013

Catania was most recently the chairperson of the Council's Committee on Education and was a member of the Committee on Government Operations, the Committee on Finance and Revenue, and the Committee on Health. Catania chaired the Committee on Health between 2005 and 2012. As one of two openly gay members currently serving on the Council, Catania played a major role in the city's recognition of same-sex unions and legalization of same-sex marriage.[3][9][10][11]

He now works as a lawyer at the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, where he focuses his practice on healthcare, government law and strategy, and public policy.[12]

Legislation

References

  1. ↑ "David A. Catania". The Washington Post. highbeam.com. January 6, 2005. pp. T11. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  2. ↑ Janofsky, Michael (December 11, 1997). "Washington Council Election May Forecast Change". The New York Times. nytimes. pp. A22. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Craig, Tim (December 15, 2009). "Poised to mark a milestone: For D.C. Council member, same-sex marriage bill a personal and professional victory". The Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. pp. B01. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  4. 1 2 Silverman, Elissa (October 29, 2006). "For Catania, Mellowing With Age, Incumbency". The Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. pp. C01. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  5. ↑ Williams, Vanessa (May 28, 2004). "Catania Leaves D.C. GOP Over Convention Seat: Ouster as Delegate Tied To Opposition to Bush". The Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. pp. B01. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  6. ↑ Hsu, Spencer S.; Williams, Vanessa (August 30, 2004). "Gay Activists Demand a Seat in 'Big Tent': Pataki, Specter Among Allies at N.Y. Rally". The Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. pp. A07. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  7. ↑ Williams, Vanessa (September 29, 2004). "Catania to Become Independent Today". The Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. pp. B02. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  8. ↑ O'Bryan, Will (October 7, 2004). "Dropping the GOP: David Catania's new political life as an independent". Metro Weekly. metroweekly.com. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  9. ↑ "DC approves same-sex marriage law". BBC News. news.bbc.co.uk. May 6, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  10. ↑ Mieszkowski, Katherine (April 7, 2009). "Same-sex marriage: Who's next?". Salon. salon.com. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  11. ↑ Craig, Tim (December 15, 2009). "D.C. Council approves bill legalizing gay marriage: Bill heads to Fenty's desk, still must survive congressional review period". The Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  12. ↑ http://www.gtlaw.com/News-Events/Newsroom/Press-Releases/183183/Former-Councilmember-David-Catania-Returns-to-Greenberg-Traurigs-Health-Care-Practice
Council of the District of Columbia
Preceded by
Arrington Dixon		 At-Large Member, Council of the District of Columbia
1997–2015 		Succeeded by
Elissa Silverman
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