Chris Hazel
Encyclopedia
Lowell Christopher Hazel, known as Chris Hazel (born January 25, 1965), is an attorney
from Pineville
, Louisiana
, and a Republican
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from District 27, which encompasses northern Rapides Parish
.
Representative Rick L. Farrar
of Pineville, 9,330 votes (62.5 percent) to 5,611 (37.5 percent). Farrar had first won the seat in the primary held on October 19, 1991, when he upset fellow Democrat Carl Newton Gunter, Jr., 7,729 (56.6 percent) to 5,929 (43.4 percent). Gunter had been known for his populist
political stance and his fiery opposition to abortion
. Farrar was narrowly unseated for the 1996-2000 term by the Republican Randy Wiggins
of Pineville, a State Farm Insurance
agent in Alexandria. On October 6, 1995, Wiggins defeated Farrar, 6,350 votes (51.1 percent) to 6,077 (48.9 percent). When Wiggins ran for the state senate
in 1999 against former Senator Joe McPherson
, who did not run in 1995, Farrar staged a successful return to office. In the 2003 primary, Farrar handily defeated Independent "Pete" Ferrington, 7,072 (61 percent) to 4,519 (39 percent).
Randy Wiggins, meanwhile, challenged the reelection of Hazel in the primary held on October 22, 2011, but Hazel handily defeated the former representative, 8,089 votes (60.8 percent) to 5,220 votes (39.2 percent).
, the seat of Rapides Parish and the largest city in Central Louisiana
. From 2003-2004, Hazel was the assistant D.A. in Colfax
, the seat of neighboring Grant Parish
. From 2000-2002, he was a law clerk for Ninth Judicial District Judge Tom Yeager in Alexandria.
. He then attended United States Marine Corps
infantry training school at Camp Pendleton, California
, and served in the Marines at 29 Palms, California, until 1986. Thereafter, he was a Lyndon B. Johnson
intern for Democratic U.S. Representative Lindy Boggs
of New Orleans. In 1990, Hazel received his Bachelor of Arts
degree in political science
from the University of New Orleans
. He attended the United States Border Patrol
training institute at Artesia
, New Mexico
. From 1992-1997, he was a Border Patrol agent at the Chula Vista
station in San Diego
. In 1997, he entered the Thomas M. Cooley Law School
in Lansing
, Michigan
, which conferred on him his Juris Doctor
degree in 2000. After law school, he returned to Louisiana to begin a legal career.
Hazel holds membership in the Louisiana Bar and the Louisiana District Attorney's associations, the American Legion
, Kiwanis Club, Amerita Club, the Rapides/Pineville Soccer Association, and the National Rifle Association
. He is a vestry member at St. Michael's Episcopal
Church in Pineville. He is married to the former Karen Frances Centanni, and the couple has two children, Sydney and Brik. The Hazels reside in Ball
north of Pineville.
Reflecting his own background as an employee of two district attorneys, Hazel introduced HB303 in March 2008. This would authorize former employees of district attorneys and assistant district attorneys to retain their retirement benefits if they become reemployed at a salary less than provided under existing state law. The measure would not apply to Hazel, for he had only four years of such service.
Hazel also introduced HB 40 in the 2008 session to help police crack down on prostitution
by broadening the definition of "sexual intercourse
" to include "oral, anal or vaginal" contact. Hazel said that his measure would "close loopholes" so that defense attorneys could not argue over the nuances of sexual relations in certain instances. Despite ridicule from numerous bloggers, Hazel's bill was signed into law by Governor Jindal on June 12, 2008.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
from Pineville
Pineville, Louisiana
Pineville is a city in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is adjacent to the city of Alexandria, and is part of that city's Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,829 at the 2000 census....
, 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...
, and a Republican
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...
member of 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...
from District 27, which encompasses northern Rapides Parish
Rapides Parish, Louisiana
-Military Installations:*Camp Beauregard *Esler Airfield *England Air Force Base *Camp Claiborne *Camp Livingston -Demographics:...
.
Election history
In the October 20, 2007, nonpartisan blanket primary, Hazel unseated DemocratDemocratic 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...
Representative Rick L. Farrar
Rick L. Farrar
Rick Lamar Farrar, known as Rick L. Farrar , is an attorney in Pineville, Louisiana, who served as the Democratic state representative from District 27 in Rapides Parish from 1992–1996 and again from 2000-2008....
of Pineville, 9,330 votes (62.5 percent) to 5,611 (37.5 percent). Farrar had first won the seat in the primary held on October 19, 1991, when he upset fellow Democrat Carl Newton Gunter, Jr., 7,729 (56.6 percent) to 5,929 (43.4 percent). Gunter had been known for his populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
political stance and his fiery opposition to abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
. Farrar was narrowly unseated for the 1996-2000 term by the Republican Randy Wiggins
Randy Wiggins
Randy E. Wiggins is a State Farm Insurance agent in Alexandria, Louisiana, who is the first Republican since Reconstruction to have been elected from Rapides Parish to the Louisiana House of Representatives. Wiggins served only a single term in the Pineville-based District 27 from 1996 to 2000...
of Pineville, a State Farm Insurance
State Farm Insurance
State Farm Insurance is a group of insurance and financial services companies in the United States. The company also has operations in Canada....
agent in Alexandria. On October 6, 1995, Wiggins defeated Farrar, 6,350 votes (51.1 percent) to 6,077 (48.9 percent). When Wiggins ran for the state senate
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...
in 1999 against former Senator Joe McPherson
Joe McPherson
William Joseph "Joe" McPherson, Jr., is a retiring veteran Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate from Woodworth, a small community south of Alexandria, Louisiana, the seat of government of Rapides Parish and the largest city in the Central Louisiana region...
, who did not run in 1995, Farrar staged a successful return to office. In the 2003 primary, Farrar handily defeated Independent "Pete" Ferrington, 7,072 (61 percent) to 4,519 (39 percent).
Randy Wiggins, meanwhile, challenged the reelection of Hazel in the primary held on October 22, 2011, but Hazel handily defeated the former representative, 8,089 votes (60.8 percent) to 5,220 votes (39.2 percent).
Legal experience
Hazel served from 2004-2007 as an assistant district attorney in AlexandriaAlexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
, the seat of Rapides Parish and the largest city in Central Louisiana
Central Louisiana
Central Louisiana , also known as the Crossroads region, is the part of Louisiana that includes the following parishes: Allen Parish, Beauregard Parish, Catahoula Parish, Concordia Parish, Grant Parish, La Salle Parish, Natchitoches Parish, Rapides Parish, Sabine Parish and Vernon Parish.The five...
. From 2003-2004, Hazel was the assistant D.A. in Colfax
Colfax, Louisiana
Colfax is a town in and the parish seat of Grant Parish, Louisiana, United States. The town, founded in 1869, is named for the vice president of the United States, Schuyler M. Colfax , who served in the first term of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, for whom the parish is named. Colfax is part of...
, the seat of neighboring Grant Parish
Grant Parish, Louisiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 18,698 people, 7,073 households, and 5,276 families residing in the parish. The population density was 29 people per square mile . There were 8,531 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
. From 2000-2002, he was a law clerk for Ninth Judicial District Judge Tom Yeager in Alexandria.
Education and background
Hazel graduated in 1983 from the Roman Catholic Holy Cross High School in New OrleansNew 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...
. He then attended United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
infantry training school at Camp Pendleton, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and served in the Marines at 29 Palms, California, until 1986. Thereafter, he was a Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
intern for Democratic U.S. Representative Lindy Boggs
Lindy Boggs
Marie Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs, usually known as Lindy Boggs , is a United States political figure who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and later as ambassador to the Vatican. She was the first woman elected to Congress from Louisiana...
of New Orleans. In 1990, Hazel received his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the University of New Orleans
University of New Orleans
The University of New Orleans, often referred to locally as UNO, is a medium-sized public urban university located on the New Orleans Lakefront within New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is a member of the LSU System and the Urban 13 association. Currently UNO is without a proper chancellor...
. He attended the United States Border Patrol
United States Border Patrol
The United States Border Patrol is a federal law enforcement agency within U.S. Customs and Border Protection , a component of the Department of Homeland Security . It is an agency in the Department of Homeland Security that enforces laws and regulations for the admission of foreign-born persons to...
training institute at Artesia
Artesia, New Mexico
Artesia is a city in Eddy County, New Mexico, United States, centered at the intersection of U.S. Route 82 and 285; the two highways serve as the city's Main Street and First Street, respectively...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. From 1992-1997, he was a Border Patrol agent at the Chula Vista
Chula Vista, California
Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
station in San Diego
San Diego County, California
San Diego County is a large county located in the southwestern corner of the US state of California. Hence, San Diego County is also located in the southwestern corner of the 48 contiguous United States. Its county seat and largest city is San Diego. Its population was about 2,813,835 in the 2000...
. In 1997, he entered the Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Thomas M. Cooley Law School is an American Bar Association accredited law school in the United States. Located in Michigan, its main campus is in Lansing, and its satellite campuses are in Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, and Grand Rapids. Cooley plans on opening another satellite campus in Tampa Bay,...
in Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, which conferred on him his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree in 2000. After law school, he returned to Louisiana to begin a legal career.
Hazel holds membership in the Louisiana Bar and the Louisiana District Attorney's associations, the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
, Kiwanis Club, Amerita Club, the Rapides/Pineville Soccer Association, and the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
. He is a vestry member at St. Michael's Episcopal
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
Church in Pineville. He is married to the former Karen Frances Centanni, and the couple has two children, Sydney and Brik. The Hazels reside in Ball
Ball, Louisiana
Ball is a town in Rapides Parish just north of Pineville, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Alexandria, Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area...
north of Pineville.
Legislative service
As a legislator, Hazel sits on these committees: (1) Administration of Criminal Justice, (2) Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development, and (3) Appropriations. Hazel's first bill, HB 148, passed in the 2008 legislative session. It "adds the intentional manufacturing, purchasing, distributing, or attempting to manufacture, purchase, or distribute a controlled dangerous substance in violation of the CDS law in the presence of a minor child as an element of the crime of cruelty to a juvenile."Reflecting his own background as an employee of two district attorneys, Hazel introduced HB303 in March 2008. This would authorize former employees of district attorneys and assistant district attorneys to retain their retirement benefits if they become reemployed at a salary less than provided under existing state law. The measure would not apply to Hazel, for he had only four years of such service.
Hazel also introduced HB 40 in the 2008 session to help police crack down on prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
by broadening the definition of "sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
" to include "oral, anal or vaginal" contact. Hazel said that his measure would "close loopholes" so that defense attorneys could not argue over the nuances of sexual relations in certain instances. Despite ridicule from numerous bloggers, Hazel's bill was signed into law by Governor Jindal on June 12, 2008.