Jim Tucker (Louisiana politician)

James Wayne Tucker, known as Jim Tucker (born 1964), [http://find.intelius.com/search-summary-out.php?ReportType=1&searchform=name Intelius People Search - Public Records, Background Checks & More ] ] , the choice of Governor Bobby Jindal, is the first Republican Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives since Reconstruction. An investment banker from the Terrytown section of the New Orleans metropolitan area, Tucker's District 86 includes precincts from both Jefferson and Orleans parishes. He has held the House seat since his victory in a special election on March 17, 2001. [ [http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=86 Louisiana House of Representatives - Internet Portal ] ]

Possible recall

On June 19, 2008, Gretna attorney John Roberts announced that he is spearheading a recall drive against Speaker Tucker. Roberts is outraged that Tucker led the successful efforts to double legislators' pay and to delay a reduction in the Louisiana state income tax until 2010. The higher pay would set Tucker's gross compensation at $100,000. Roberts himself ran unsuccessfully in the 2007 election for the Louisiana State Senate against John Alario of Westwego, a former Louisiana House Speaker. [ [http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/20592244.html 2theadvocate.com | News | Recall effort targets Tucker — Baton Rouge, LA ] ]

Legislative politics

Although Democrats will still outnumber Republicans in the Louisiana House, 53-50 (with two "No Party" members), as of January 14, 2008, the governor in Louisiana traditionally recommends the Speaker, and House members concur despite the separation of powers. Tucker said that some seventy members, including nearly twenty Democrats, had pre-committed to his candidacy, including African American Representative and former congressional candidate Karen Carter Peterson of New Orleans. He succeeded outgoing Democratic Speaker Joe Salter of Florien in Sabine Parish in north Louisiana, who had been recommended in 2003 by Jindal's predecessor, outgoing Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. [http://www.bloodlesscoup.com/blog/004544.html;http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/politics/11679396.html] As head of the House Republican Caucus, Tucker spearheaded GOP opposition to Blanco's legislative initiatives, especially in regard to state spending. Jindal, a departing Republican congressman from suburban New Orleans, said that he wants to prevent Washington D.C.-style partisanship from taking root in the state capital, Baton Rouge. Jindal said that Tucker's "bipartisan coalition" indicates that the new Speaker can work well with members of both parties. [ [http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/politics/11679396.html 2theadvocate.com | Politics | Jindal favors Tucker for post — Baton Rouge, LA ] ] Former Democratic State Representative Don Cazayoux of New Roads, the seat of Pointe Coupee Parish north of Baton Rouge, now a member of the United States House of Representatives, had pursued the leadership post and questioned why Jindal got involved so soon in the process. Jindal said that he is ratifying a consensus choice already made by lawmakers.

For Senate president, Jindal recommended Democratic State Senator Joel Thomas Chaisson, II, of Destrehan in St. Charles Parish, also in the New Orleans suburbs. Democrats easily control the Senate, twenty-three to sixteen and selected Chaisson, who has pledged "bipartisanship".

Tucker won his House seat in 2001, when he defeated fellow Republican Robert B. "Robby" Evans, III, 2,509 (58 percent) to 1,794 (42 percent) to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Republican Stephen J. Windhorst of Terrytown, who had been elected to a judgeship in the 24th Judicial District. [http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=031701; http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcpr&rqsdta=10070026] Tucker was unopposed for full terms in 2003 and 2007. [http://www.legis.state.la.us/election2003/hsequalifying76-100.htm; http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms3&rqsdta=102007] Tucker hence became Speaker without ever polling more than 2,509 votes in a contested legislative election. Tucker graduated from O.P. Walker Senior High School in New Orleans. He obtained a bachelor of science degree from the University of New Orleans. He is married to the former Joy Santos (born 1961).

As Speaker, Tucker named the chairmen of seventeen House committees.

References