Jim Tucker (Louisiana politician)
Encyclopedia
James Wayne Tucker, known as Jim Tucker (born 1964), is the departing Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, and an ally of Governor Bobby Jindal
. 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.The vastly reconfigured district in 2012 will include only Tangipahoa Parish
.
In the primary election held on October 22, 2011, Tucker was narrowly defeated in the race for Louisiana Secretary of State by the incumbent, fellow Republican Tom Schedler
, a former state senator
from St. Tammany Parish
. Tucker carried thirty-eight of the sixty-four parishes, including all in north Louisiana, but lost to Schedler by some 9,000 votes, 440,872 (49.5 percent) to 449,370 (50.5 perecent).
attorney
John Roberts announced that a recall
drive against Speaker Tucker. Roberts was 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 State Senate against John Alario
of Westwego
, a former Louisiana House Speaker.
outnumbered Republicans in the Louisiana House, 53-50 (with two "No Party" members), when Tucker became Speaker on 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 and successful opponent, outgoing Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco.By 2011, the GOP had a House majority after defections and special elections.
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.
Former Democratic State Representative Don Cazayoux
of New Roads
, the seat of Pointe Coupee Parish north of Baton Rouge, now a former 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, a son of Republican former State Senator Fritz Windhorst
, who had been elected to a judge
ship in the 24th Judicial District. Tucker was unopposed for full terms in 2003 and 2007. 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. Among those named is the Democrat James R. Fannin
of Jonesboro
to the critical post of Appropriations chairman.
Tucker will be succeeded in the District 86 seat by one of two Republicans who square off in the November 19, 2011, general election. Chris Broadwater led in the primary on October 22 with 37.4 percent of the vote, and George Holton finished second with 22.8 percent of the ballots cast. A third Republican, Joel Morgan, and a Democrat and an Independent received the remaining ballots cast.
Bobby Jindal
Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is the 55th and current Governor of Louisiana and formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party....
. An investment banker from the Terrytown
Terrytown, Louisiana
Terrytown is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. It is a suburb within the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 25,430 at the 2000 census...
section of the New Orleans metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
, 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.The vastly reconfigured district in 2012 will include only Tangipahoa Parish
Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Tangipahoa Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, one of the Florida Parishes. The parish seat is Amite City, but the major city is Hammond. As of 2006, the population was 113,137...
.
In the primary election held on October 22, 2011, Tucker was narrowly defeated in the race for Louisiana Secretary of State by the incumbent, fellow Republican Tom Schedler
Tom Schedler
John Thomas Schedler, known as Tom Schedler , is a politician from suburban St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, USA, who served as the District 11 Louisiana state senator from 1996 to 2008, when he was term-limited after twelve years...
, a former state senator
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 St. Tammany Parish
St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
St. Tammany Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area. The parish seat is Covington....
. Tucker carried thirty-eight of the sixty-four parishes, including all in north Louisiana, but lost to Schedler by some 9,000 votes, 440,872 (49.5 percent) to 449,370 (50.5 perecent).
Recall attempt
On June 19, 2008, GretnaGretna, Louisiana
The city of Gretna is the parish seat of Jefferson Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. Gretna is on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just east and across the river from uptown New Orleans. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area...
attorney
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...
John Roberts announced that a recall
Recall election
A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...
drive against Speaker Tucker. Roberts was outraged that Tucker led the successful efforts to double legislators' pay and to delay a reduction in the Louisiana state income tax
State income tax
State and local income taxes are imposed in addition to Federal income tax. State income tax is allowed as a deduction in computing Federal income tax, subject to limitations for individuals. Some localities impose an income tax, often based on state income tax calculations. Forty-three states...
until 2010. The higher pay would set Tucker's gross compensation at $100,000. Roberts himself ran unsuccessfully in the 2007 election for the State Senate against John Alario
John Alario
John A. Alario, Jr. , is an American businessman from Westwego in Jefferson Parish in the New Orleans suburbs, who is the dean of the Louisiana State Legislature, having served consecutively in the law-making body since 1972. He was the District 83 member of the Louisiana House of Representatives...
of Westwego
Westwego, Louisiana
Westwego is a city in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, and a suburb of New Orleans. The population was 10,763 at the 2000 census. It lies along the west bank of the Mississippi River.-Geography:...
, a former Louisiana House Speaker.
Legislative politics
DemocratsDemocratic 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...
outnumbered Republicans in the Louisiana House, 53-50 (with two "No Party" members), when Tucker became Speaker on January 14, 2008. The governor in Louisiana traditionally recommends the Speaker, and House members concur despite the separation of powers
Separation of powers
The separation of powers, often imprecisely used interchangeably with the trias politica principle, is a model for the governance of a state. The model was first developed in ancient Greece and came into widespread use by the Roman Republic as part of the unmodified Constitution of the Roman Republic...
. Tucker said that some seventy members, including nearly twenty Democrats, had pre-committed to his candidacy, including African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
Representative and former congressional candidate Karen Carter Peterson
Karen Carter Peterson
Karen Carter Peterson is a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate, representing the 5th District since 2010. She previously served as the representative from District 93 , in the Louisiana House of Representatives and as Speaker Pro Tempore...
of New Orleans. He succeeded outgoing Democratic Speaker Joe Salter of Florien
Florien, Louisiana
Florien is a village in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 692 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Florien is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land....
in Sabine Parish in north Louisiana, who had been recommended in 2003 by Jindal's predecessor and successful opponent, outgoing Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco.By 2011, the GOP had a House majority after defections and special elections.
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.
Former Democratic State Representative Don Cazayoux
Don Cazayoux
Donald J. 'Don' Cazayoux, Jr. is a former Democratic U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 6th congressional district. He is currently US Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana....
of New Roads
New Roads, Louisiana
New Roads is a city in and the parish seat of Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, United States. The center of population of Louisiana is located in New Roads . The population was 4,996 at the 2000 census. The city's ZIP code is 70760...
, the seat of Pointe Coupee Parish north of Baton Rouge, now a former member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, 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
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...
Joel Thomas Chaisson, II
Joel Chaisson
Joel Thomas Chaisson, II , is an American Democratic politician who is the outgoing president of the Louisiana State Senate. He assumed the leadership position on January 14, 2008. A resident of Destrehan, Chaisson has represented Senate District 19 in St. Charles Parish since 2000...
, of Destrehan
Destrehan, Louisiana
Destrehan is a census-designated place in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2000 census. It was named after Jean N...
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
Stephen J. Windhorst
Stephen Joseph Windhorst, known as Steve Windhorst , is a state judge of the 24th Judicial District Court in suburban New Orleans, Louisiana, who served as a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Jefferson and Orleans parishes from 1992 to 2000...
of Terrytown, a son of Republican former State Senator Fritz Windhorst
Fritz Windhorst
Fritz Heinrich Windhorst is a Gretna, Louisiana, attorney who served from 1972 to 1992 as a member of the Louisiana State Senate from Jefferson and Orleans parishes, originally District 8, and later District 7. Windhorst was a conservative Democrat from 1972 to 1985, when he switched to...
, who had been elected to a 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...
ship in the 24th Judicial District. Tucker was unopposed for full terms in 2003 and 2007. 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
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree 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 is married to the former Joy Santos (born 1961).
As Speaker, Tucker named the chairmen of seventeen House committees. Among those named is the Democrat James R. Fannin
James R. Fannin
James Roy Fannin , known as Jim Fannin, is the Democratic chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He is a former educator and active businessman in Jonesboro, the seat of Jackson Parish in north Louisiana, In 2003, Fannin was elected to represent House...
of Jonesboro
Jonesboro, Louisiana
Jonesboro is a town in and the parish seat of Jackson Parish in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 3,914 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
to the critical post of Appropriations chairman.
Tucker will be succeeded in the District 86 seat by one of two Republicans who square off in the November 19, 2011, general election. Chris Broadwater led in the primary on October 22 with 37.4 percent of the vote, and George Holton finished second with 22.8 percent of the ballots cast. A third Republican, Joel Morgan, and a Democrat and an Independent received the remaining ballots cast.