Gregory Lavelle | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Delaware Senate from the 4th district | |
| In office January 8, 2013 – January 8, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Katz |
| Succeeded by | Laura Sturgeon |
| Minority Leader of the Delaware House of Representatives | |
| In office January 12, 2011 – January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Cathcart |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Short |
| Member of the Delaware House of Representatives from the 11th district | |
| In office January 9, 2001 – January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Catherine Cloutier |
| Succeeded by | Deborah Hudson (Redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 17, 1963 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | University of Delaware (BS) University of Pennsylvania (MS) |
| Website | Official website |
Gregory F. Lavelle is an American far-right politician who was a Republican member of the Delaware General Assembly from 2001 to 2019, serving in both the Delaware Senate and the Delaware House of Representatives.[1][2] In the 2018 midterm elections, he lost his seat in the general election to Democrat Laura Sturgeon.
Lavelle was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives in 2000 to replace Republican Catherine Cloutier, who had won a seat in the Delaware Senate. He served as the minority leader in the House from 2011 to 2013, during which time he was a leading opponent to marriage equality in Delaware.[3][4]
In 2012, Lavelle resigned his House seat to challenge incumbent Democrat Michael Katz in the Senate's 4th district, which he won in a three-way general election. He served as the minority whip when he was ousted from his seat in 2018 in a major upset that was one of several losses for prominent Republicans in Delaware.[5][6] His loss came after a contentious election where Lavelle and the Democratic Party of Delaware traded accusations of misconduct and campaign violations, as well as the focus on Lavelle's anti-gay voting record.[7]
Lavelle earned his BS in business administration from the University of Delaware and his MS in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania.
Lavelle was a large proponent against LGBT rights during his time in the Delaware General Assembly. He voted against adding sexual orientation to Delaware anti-discrimination laws in 2009, and voted against adding gender identity to anti-discrimination laws in 2013. In 2011, Lavelle voted against legalizing same-sex civil unions and voted against legalizing same-sex marriage in 2013.[8]
Lavelle voted against repealing the death penalty in Delaware in 2013. The death penalty was ultimately abolished in Delaware in 2016.[9]
In 2011, Lavelle voted against legalizing medical marijuana in Delaware and against decriminalizing recreational marijuana in 2015. However, Lavelle voted in favor of legalizing medical marijuana to treat anxiety in 2015 and for reducing punishments for drug possession in 2011.[10]