Jamie Gauthier
Jamie Gauthier | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Philadelphia City Council from the 3rd district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Jannie Blackwell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1978 or 1979 (age 45–46) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Temple University (BA) University of Pennsylvania (MUP) |
Jamie Gauthier (born 1978 or 1979) is an American Democratic politician and member of the Philadelphia City Council. In 2019, she was elected to represent the Third District, which covers much of West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia.
Early life and career
[edit]Gauthier was born in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Philadelphia.[1] Her father, Leon Williams, ran for District Attorney of Philadelphia twice as an independent candidate.[2] She received her undergraduate degree in Accounting from Temple University and her Masters in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.[3] Prior to getting her masters degree, she worked at DuPont as an accountant for two years.[4]
Gauthier founded Mommy Grads, an organization dedicated to helping single mothers raise children while attending college.[5] She worked as a program officer with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation before serving as executive director of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia from 2013 to 2017.[4] In 2017, she became executive director of the Fairmount Park Conservancy.[6]
Philadelphia City Council
[edit]In January 2019, Gauthier announced she would challenge longtime incumbent Jannie Blackwell in the Democratic primary for Philadelphia City Council in the Third District, which covers much of West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia.[7] Blackwell had represented the district since 1992, when she succeeded her husband Lucien Blackwell, who previously held the seat for 17 years. Gauthier defeated Blackwell by 56%-44% in the May 2019 primary, in what was called "a huge upset over one of the biggest political dynasties in Philly politics."[8] Gauthier faced no opposition in the general election.
In 2024, Gauthier proposed legislation to permit a 104-unit affordable apartment building at 50th and Warrington Streets after neighborhood NIMBYs successfully blocked the development.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Gauthier lives in the Kingsessing neighborhood with her two sons.[10] Her sister, Samantha Williams, worked as a legislative aide to Philadelphia City Council member Curtis Jones Jr. before being elected as a Judge of Philadelphia's Court of Common Pleas in 2023.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Terruso, Julia (March 28, 2019). "Jannie Blackwell has represented West Philly for 27 years. Jamie Gauthier thinks her time's up". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ Platt, Larry (March 22, 2019). "NEW BLOOD: JAMIE GAUTHIER". The Philadelphia Citizen. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ Padner, Emma (February 19, 2019). "Temple alumna runs for West Philly City Council seat". The Temple News. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ a b Thompson, Nigel (October 15, 2019). "Jamie Gauthier: District 3's first new face on City Council in almost 30 years". Al Día. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ Hale, Rebecca (October 6, 2009). "Mommy Grads helps student-moms". The Temple News. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ Zeglen, Julie (June 30, 2017). "Fairmount Park Conservancy has a new head as of July 1: Jamie Gauthier". Generocity. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ Briggs, Ryan (January 30, 2019). "Fairmount Park Conservancy leader to challenge Blackwell for Council seat". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ Winberg, Michaela (May 21, 2019). "District Council primary: West Philly stunner, Kensington nailbiter, South Philly slam". Billy Penn. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ "Councilmember Gauthier attempts end run around court ruling against affordable homes". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 2024.
- ^ "Meet Jamie - Jamie for West Philly". Jamie for West Philly. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Official Philadelphia City Council website
Members of the Philadelphia City Council | |||||||||
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President: Darrell L. Clarke | |||||||||
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