Charles Cusimano
Encyclopedia
Charles Vincent Cusimano, II, known as Chuck Cusimano (born 1954) is a Republican
politician
from Metairie
in Jefferson Parish
, Louisiana
.
Cusimano is the son of Charles Cusimano, I, a New Orleans
native (born September 29, 1927), and the former Violet Taranto (born 1928). In addition to their one son, Charles, II, the Cusimanos had three daughters, Lisa Brewer, Jan Simon, and Cathy Daigle. The senior Cusimano is an engineering graduate of Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge
, a former member of the LSU Board of Supervisors, and the founder of Energy Corporation of America. Cusimano, I, has also been active in Republican Party affairs and was a major fund raiser for former Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
Cusimano was already contributing to the Ronald W. Reagan campaign in 1980, while his son was a Democrat
in the state legislature.
At the age of twenty-five, just as he launched his law practice, Cusimano was elected in 1979 as a Democrat to the District 81 seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives
. He switched to Republican affiliation at the start of his second term, 1984-1988. He served on the House committees on Criminal Justice, Civil Law, and Natural Resources. On October 24, 1987, he was elected again, having defeated fellow Republican Steve Little, 9,650 (65.2 percent) to 5,165 (34.8 percent) in the nonpartisan blanket primary.
Cusimano was described by his House colleague, Ron Gomez
of Lafayette
, as "a diminitive firebrand from Metairie." In House debate over the New Orleans Saints
's lease of the Louisiana Superdome
, Cusimano proposed an amendment that would restrict the team's concession revenues to a minimum level, after which the proceeds would be split 50-50 with the state. The amendment, strongly opposed by the Saints' owner, Tom Benson
, appeared to have passed until Governor Edwin Washington Edwards, in an unprecedented move, came to the chamber to plead with the lawmakers to reverse themselves. Edwards claimed that the Cusimano amendment would cause the Saints, then a repeatedly losing team, to leave New Orleans and practically make the state the laughingstock of the nation. After the visibly shaken Edwards spoke, Representative Raymond Laborde
of Marksville
, his friend from childhood, stepped to the microphone and moved that the previous amendment be deleted. No debate was allowed on the previous question, and Benson and Edwards prevailed.
Cusimano resigned from the legislature in 1988 to become a 24th Judicial District Court judge
, a position that he held from 1988-2007. His resignation from the legislature triggered a special election in District 81. Several Republicans sought to succeed Representative Cusimano, including future Louisiana Republican Party state chairman Roger F. Villere, Jr.
, a Metairie floral shop owner. However, the two candidates who reached the runoff were John S. Treen
, brother of former Governor David C. Treen
, and David Duke
, nationally known as a former figure in the Ku Klux Klan
. Duke narrowly won the race over Treen, who enjoyed the backing of most state and national Republicans , including U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush and former President Reagan, who opposed Duke's candidacy. Duke claimed that Treen, if elected, was willing to see property tax
increases in the suburban New Orleans district. Among those working in the John Treen campaign was Beth Rickey
of New Orleans, a moderate member of the Republican State Central Committee who later exposed Duke's continuing neo-Nazi ties.
In 1998, Cusimano ran for the Louisiana Supreme Court
, a ten-year term, against Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr.
, a Democrat. Calogero led with 77,766 votes (49.5 percent), and Cusimano polled 64,711 ballots (41.2 percent). A third candidate held the remaining 8 percent of the vote. Cusimano decided not to contest the general election.
On the district court, Judge Cusimano was instrumental in revamping the criminal
justice computer system. In 2006, he did not seek reelection and was succeeded by Republican Cornelius E. "Conn" Regan, a narrow winner over Danyelle Taylor, also a Republican. In 2008, Cusimano was unopposed for the Fifth Justice of the Peace
Court in Jefferson Parish. Cusimano said that he will modernize justice-of-the-peace operations, with electronic case management to allow litigants to file electronically and monitor the status of their case via the Internet
.
Cusimano and his wife, Kathleen F. Cusimano (born 1955), have eight children.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Metairie
Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States and is a major part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish. It is an unincorporated area that would be larger than most of the state's cities if it were...
in Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Jefferson Parish is a parish in Louisiana, United States that includes most of the suburbs of New Orleans. The seat of parish government is Gretna....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
.
Cusimano is the son of Charles Cusimano, I, a New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
native (born September 29, 1927), and the former Violet Taranto (born 1928). In addition to their one son, Charles, II, the Cusimanos had three daughters, Lisa Brewer, Jan Simon, and Cathy Daigle. The senior Cusimano is an engineering graduate of Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
, a former member of the LSU Board of Supervisors, and the founder of Energy Corporation of America. Cusimano, I, has also been active in Republican Party affairs and was a major fund raiser for former Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
Murphy J. Foster, Jr.
Murphy James "Mike" Foster, Jr. served as 53rd Governor of Louisiana from January 1996 until January 2004. Foster's father was Murphy J. Foster, Jr., but Mike Foster uses "Jr." even though he is technically Murphy J. Foster, III. Foster is a businessman, landowner, and sportsman in St...
Cusimano was already contributing to the Ronald W. Reagan campaign in 1980, while his son was a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in the state legislature.
At the age of twenty-five, just as he launched his law practice, Cusimano was elected in 1979 as a Democrat to the District 81 seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
. He switched to Republican affiliation at the start of his second term, 1984-1988. He served on the House committees on Criminal Justice, Civil Law, and Natural Resources. On October 24, 1987, he was elected again, having defeated fellow Republican Steve Little, 9,650 (65.2 percent) to 5,165 (34.8 percent) in the nonpartisan blanket primary.
Cusimano was described by his House colleague, Ron Gomez
Ron Gomez
Ronald James Gomez, Sr., known as Ron Gomez , is a veteran print and broadcast journalist, author , and businessman from Lafayette, Louisiana, who served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from Lafayette Parish, from 1980-1989. From 1990-1992, he was the secretary of natural resources in...
of Lafayette
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
, as "a diminitive firebrand from Metairie." In House debate over the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
's lease of the Louisiana Superdome
Louisiana Superdome
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...
, Cusimano proposed an amendment that would restrict the team's concession revenues to a minimum level, after which the proceeds would be split 50-50 with the state. The amendment, strongly opposed by the Saints' owner, Tom Benson
Tom Benson
See also Tom Benson and Tom Benson for the Northern Ireland Unionist.Tom Benson is the owner of the New Orleans Saints. He is currently the owner of several automobile dealerships in the Greater New Orleans and San Antonio areas...
, appeared to have passed until Governor Edwin Washington Edwards, in an unprecedented move, came to the chamber to plead with the lawmakers to reverse themselves. Edwards claimed that the Cusimano amendment would cause the Saints, then a repeatedly losing team, to leave New Orleans and practically make the state the laughingstock of the nation. After the visibly shaken Edwards spoke, Representative Raymond Laborde
Raymond Laborde
Raymond Julian Laborde, I , is a department store owner and a retired Democratic politician in his native Marksville, the seat of Avoyelles Parish in south Central Louisiana. He was the mayor of Marksville from 1958–1970 and thereafter served five terms from 1972–1992 in the Louisiana House of...
of Marksville
Marksville, Louisiana
Marksville is a city in and the parish seat of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,537 at the 2000 census. Louisiana's first land-based casino, Paragon Casino Resort, opened in Marksville in June 1994...
, his friend from childhood, stepped to the microphone and moved that the previous amendment be deleted. No debate was allowed on the previous question, and Benson and Edwards prevailed.
Cusimano resigned from the legislature in 1988 to become a 24th Judicial District Court judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
, a position that he held from 1988-2007. His resignation from the legislature triggered a special election in District 81. Several Republicans sought to succeed Representative Cusimano, including future Louisiana Republican Party state chairman Roger F. Villere, Jr.
Roger F. Villere, Jr.
Roger Francis Villere, Jr. is a businessman from Metairie in Jefferson Parish in suburban New Orleans who on March 26, 2004, was elected state chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party by the 144-member GOP State Central Committee. He succeeded Pat Brister of St...
, a Metairie floral shop owner. However, the two candidates who reached the runoff were John S. Treen
John S. Treen
John Speir Treen is a retired homebuilder from Metairie in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, who lost a 1989 special election for the Louisiana House of Representatives to the former Ku Klux Klansman David Duke. Treen is the older brother of the late David C. Treen, the first Republican governor of...
, brother of former Governor David C. Treen
David C. Treen
David Conner "Dave" Treen, Sr. , was an American attorney and politician from Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana – the first Republican Governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana since Reconstruction. He was the first Republican in modern times to have served in the U.S...
, and David Duke
David Duke
David Ernest Duke is a former Grand Wizard of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan an American activist and writer, and former Republican Louisiana State Representative. He was also a former candidate in the Republican presidential primaries in 1992, and in the Democratic presidential primaries in...
, nationally known as a former figure in the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
. Duke narrowly won the race over Treen, who enjoyed the backing of most state and national Republicans , including U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush and former President Reagan, who opposed Duke's candidacy. Duke claimed that Treen, if elected, was willing to see property tax
Property tax
A property tax is an ad valorem levy on the value of property that the owner is required to pay. The tax is levied by the governing authority of the jurisdiction in which the property is located; it may be paid to a national government, a federated state or a municipality...
increases in the suburban New Orleans district. Among those working in the John Treen campaign was Beth Rickey
Beth Rickey
Elizabeth Ann "Beth" Rickey was a Republican political activist from Louisiana who exposed the neo-Nazi connections of former State Representative David Duke, who ran for the U.S...
of New Orleans, a moderate member of the Republican State Central Committee who later exposed Duke's continuing neo-Nazi ties.
In 1998, Cusimano ran for the Louisiana Supreme Court
Louisiana Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Louisiana is the highest court and court of last resort in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The modern Supreme Court, composed of seven justices, meets in the French Quarter of New Orleans....
, a ten-year term, against Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr.
Pascal F. Calogero, Jr.
Pascal Frank Calogero, Jr. , is the former Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. He is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans School of Law, where he was initiated into the Alpha Delta Gamma National Fraternity. He resides in New Orleans, LouisianaHe was first elected to the Court in...
, a Democrat. Calogero led with 77,766 votes (49.5 percent), and Cusimano polled 64,711 ballots (41.2 percent). A third candidate held the remaining 8 percent of the vote. Cusimano decided not to contest the general election.
On the district court, Judge Cusimano was instrumental in revamping the criminal
justice computer system. In 2006, he did not seek reelection and was succeeded by Republican Cornelius E. "Conn" Regan, a narrow winner over Danyelle Taylor, also a Republican. In 2008, Cusimano was unopposed for the Fifth Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
Court in Jefferson Parish. Cusimano said that he will modernize justice-of-the-peace operations, with electronic case management to allow litigants to file electronically and monitor the status of their case via the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
.
Cusimano and his wife, Kathleen F. Cusimano (born 1955), have eight children.