| Jessica Araceli Gonzalez is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 104 in Dallas. Born on December 25, 1980, she was raised in Dallas by immigrant parents from Mexico. Her upbringing has inspired her commitment to public service and advocacy for marginalized communities.
Gonzalez earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating magna cum laude. She then obtained her Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School, where she graduated cum laude and held leadership roles. During law school, she clerked at the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and interned at the White House, contributing to immigration policy initiatives.
Before her legislative career, Gonzalez served as a legislative assistant for Congresswoman Karen Bass and directed voter protection efforts in Nevada for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign. She co-founded the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus and has been a vocal advocate for voting rights, LGBTQ+ civil rights, criminal justice reform, and affordable housing. She is currently the vice chair of the LGBTQ Caucus and chairs the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators' Human and Civil Rights Task Force.
Gonzalez practices law as a partner at Gandara & Gonzalez, PLLC, in Oak Cliff, Dallas. She married Angela Hale, a senior advisor at Equality Texas, in 2021. |