Anthony Joseph Cannella (born March 22, 1969) is an American politician who previously served in the California State Senate. A Republican, he represented the 12th Senate District, which encompasses all of both Merced and San Benito counties, as well as parts of Fresno, Madera, Monterey, and Stanislaus counties. Prior to his election to the State Senate, he served as the mayor of Ceres.

Anthony Cannella
Member of the California State Senate
from the 12th district
In office
December 6, 2010 – November 30, 2018
Preceded byJeff Denham
Succeeded byAnna Caballero
Mayor of Ceres, California
In office
December 2, 2005 – December 6, 2010
Preceded byDeLinda Moore
Succeeded byChris Vierra
Personal details
Born
Anthony Joseph Cannella

(1969-03-22) March 22, 1969 (age 55)[1]
New Idria, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJulie Cannella (m. 1996)
RelationsSal Cannella (father)
Children4
ResidenceCeres, California
Alma materUniversity of California, Davis
OccupationCivil engineer
Small business owner

He is the son of Sal Cannella, a former Democratic Assemblymember who also represented portions of the Central Valley.

Biography edit

Anthony Cannella was elected to the State Senate in 2010, defeating state Assemblywoman Anna Caballero in a surprise, with assistance from the California Chamber of Commerce, and easily re-elected in 2014 as one of few Republicans endorsed by the California Labor Federation.[2]

In April 2017, he was the only Republican Senator to vote in favor of Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair & Accountability Act of 2017 (more widely known and reported as the "Gas Tax");[3] he was promised transportation assistance for the University of California, Merced, and an extension of the Altamont Corridor Express rail line to his district.[2]

The Senate bill includes a 20-cent per gallon increase in diesel taxes, a 12-cent per gallon hike in gas taxes and a 5.75 percent increase in diesel sales taxes. Vehicle license fees would be raised an average $38 per vehicle. Drivers would also face a new annual fee to be paid with their vehicle registration, ranging from $25 to $175 depending on the value of their vehicle. The taxes and fees rise each year with inflation. Funds would be used to improve roads, highways and transportation systems in California.[4]

Electoral history edit

2010 edit

California State Senate elections, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Anthony Cannella 92,270 51.5
Democratic Anna Caballero 86,923 48.5
Total votes 179,193 100.0
Republican hold

2014 edit

California's 12th State Senate district election, 2014
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Anthony Cannella (incumbent) 47,551 63.8
Democratic Shawn K. Bagley 27,017 36.2
Total votes 74,568 100.0
General election
Republican Anthony Cannella (incumbent) 54,039 62.0
Democratic Shawn K. Bagley 33,059 38.0
Total votes 87,098 100.0
Republican hold

References edit

  1. ^ Senator Anthony Cannella of California[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b "California Gas Tax Passes After Republican Lawmaker Wins $500 Million Promise". Sacramento, California: KOVR. April 7, 2017.
  3. ^ "California Legislature Approves Gas Tax Hike; Bill Goes To Gov. Brown". Los Angeles: KCBS-TV. April 6, 2017.
  4. ^ "California Legislature Approves Gas-Tax Hike; Bill Goes to Gov. Brown". April 6, 2017.

External links edit