tx_gov_MAURO
TEXAS LAND COMMISSIONER GARRY MAURO
Age: 50 Born: February 21, 1948, Bryan, Texas Education: University of Texas, J.D. (1974); Texas A&M University, B.B.A. (1970) Military: None Family: Divorced; Two children Hometown: Austin, Texas Religion: Catholic Career: Texas Land Commissioner (1983-present); Practicing attorney (1978-82); Exec. Dir., Texas Democratic Party (1979-80); Deputy Comptroller for Tax Administration (1975-77); Aide to U.S Representative Bob Krueger (1975); Campaign Manager, Krueger for Congress (1973-74) |
• A fourth-generation Texan, Mauro was born in Bryan and graduated from high school in Waco in 1966. His great-grandparents were farmers in the Brazos River valley near Bryan. An Eagle Scout as a boy, Mauro is still active in the National Eagle Scout Association.
• Mauro earned a degree in marketing from Texas A & M in 1970. He continued on to law school at the University of Texas and received his degree in 1974. While still in law school, he managed the successful congressional campaign of Bob Krueger. Mauro continued to work as an aide to Krueger after he was elected to the U.S. Congress.
• From 1975 to 1977, Mauro served as Deputy Comptroller for Tax Administration, when the office was run by the stateÂ's current Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock. Mauro left that position for private practice in 1978 and worked again for Bob Krueger -- this time as campaign manager for KruegerÂ's unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate. After the election Mauro served as executive director of the Texas Democratic Party, while continuing his practice in real estate law.
• In 1982, Mauro launched his own bid for office and was elected Land Commissioner, a position he has held for a decade and a half. He is responsible for oversight of approximately 22 million acres of state land. His aggressive approach to oil companies and hiAdopt-a-Beach environmental clean-up program have made him popular with environmentalists.
• Mauro is closely allied with President Bill Clinton, whom he has known since they worked together on George McGovernÂ's 1972 presidential campaign. For both the 1992 and 1996 Clinton-Gore presidential campaigns, Mauro served as Texas Chair. After Clinton won in 1992, MauroÂ's name was in the mix for a high-level appointment; however, he was under severe financial strain at the time because of some failed real estate investments. A month after the 1992 election, he filed for personal bankruptcy with more than $4 million in debt, and he took his name out of consideration for any position in the Clinton Administration. Today, Mauro remains a staunch Clinton defender, and he and his wife have been overnight guests at the White House.