Joel Chaisson
Encyclopedia
Joel Thomas Chaisson, II (born August 21, 1960), 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. He served from 1992 to 2000 in the Louisiana House of Representatives
from District 56 (St. Charles Parish).
Chaisson succeeded the term-limited Senate President Don Hines, a Democrat from Bunkie
in Avoyelles Parish in south central Louisiana. He was preferred for the Senate presidency by Governor Bobby Jindal
, a Republican
.
In Louisiana, the state House Speaker
and Senate President are normally suggested by the governor even if the governor's party or faction lacks a majority in the respective chamber. Chaisson headed a Democratic Senate majority of 23 to 16 (it's now a 22-17 Republican majority), but he indicated that he will seek "bipartisanship" in a bid to work with the governor and the Republican lawmakers. Since then with a series of party switches, the Senate now has a Republican majority for the first time since Reconstruction. A Republican senator, Michael J. Michot
of Lafayette
, had sought the Senate presidency, but Jindal deferred to the Democratic majority as Chaisson promised cooperation.
On a 2009 conflict between the Louisiana Senate leadership and the House on budget priorities, see cuts to higher education.
. In 1983, he procured his Juris Doctor
law degree from Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge. That same year, his political career began, when at the age of 23, he was elected to a term on the St. Charles Parish Council, a combination city-county position. St. Charles Parish is located in New Orleans' suburbs. Its parish seat is Hahnville
.
Chaisson was elected to the Louisiana House in 1991. In the primary on October 19, he trailed the Democratic incumbent
, Ralph R. Miller, 7,104 (46 percent) to 6,570 (43 percent). The remaining 1,780 votes (12 percent) went to Emile J. Garlepied, another Democrat. In the November 16 state election, Chaisson unseated Miller, 9,023 (51 percent) to 8,604 (49 percent).
In 1995, Chaisson won his second term in the state House when he defeated Republican Robert "Bobby" Riggs, 9,759 (63 percent) to 5,736 (37 percent) in the primary.
In the jungle primary
held on October 23, 1999, Chaisson unseated fellow Democrat Ron Landry in the Senate election 20,906 (53 percent) to 18,778 (47 percent). Chaisson was thereafter unopposed in the senatorial primaries of 2003 and 2007.
Chaisson is Roman Catholic and a member of the men's Knights of Columbus
order. He is also active in the Lions Club. He and his wife, the former Sandra Stage (born 1951), have a daughter, Martine. Chaisson lists his hobbies as real estate development and deep-sea fishing.
Will Sentell of the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate Capitol News Bureau wrote in 2007 that Chaisson's career is "one of beating long odds." Chaisson has the support of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
. However, he is not a firm ally of social conservatives in the legislature.
Chaisson's leadership counterpart in the Louisiana House is Speaker Jim Tucker
of Terrytown
, also in the New Orleans suburbs. Tucker is a Republican although Democrats started with a slight majority in the House; party affiliation is just one of several factors which affect choices in leadership positions in the legislature.
Ineligible to run for the state Senate in the primary held on October 22, 2011, Chaisson will be succeeded by Gary L. Smith, Jr., who also followed him in the House twelve years earlier. Smith polled 16,501 votes (59.5 percent) to defeat the Republican Garrett C. Monti, who trailed with 11,215 votes (40.5 percent).
On October 25, 2011, Governor Jindal tapped John Alario
of Westwego
in Jefferson Parish
, whom the Republican Party had virgorouly opposed in the 2007 senatorial campaign, as his choice to succeed Chaisson as State Senate President, effective January 2012. On approval by his colleagues, Alario would become only the second person in Louisiana and United States history to have been the presiding officer of both the state House and the state Senate since the death in 2005 of Senator John Hainkel
of New Orleans. Four state Senate seats will not be determined until the November 19, 2011, general election. Jindal claimed to have commitments from twenty of the thirty-nine senators to support Alario.
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...
politician who is the outgoing president of the Louisiana 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...
. He assumed the leadership position on January 14, 2008. A resident 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...
, Chaisson has represented Senate District 19 in St. Charles Parish
St. Charles Parish, Louisiana
St. Charles Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Hahnville. In 2010, its population was 52,780. In the eighteenth and nineteenth century, this was part of the German Coast, an area along the Mississippi River settled by numerous German pioneers in the...
since 2000. He served from 1992 to 2000 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...
from District 56 (St. Charles Parish).
Chaisson succeeded the term-limited Senate President Don Hines, a Democrat from Bunkie
Bunkie, Louisiana
Bunkie is a city in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,662 at the 2000 census.Bunkie is the birthplace of jazz drummer Zutty Singleton. Sue Eakin, Louisiana historian and former publisher of the Bunkie Record, resided in Bunkie for most of her life until her death in...
in Avoyelles Parish in south central Louisiana. He was preferred for the Senate presidency by Governor Bobby Jindal
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....
, 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...
.
In Louisiana, the state House Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
and Senate President are normally suggested by the governor even if the governor's party or faction lacks a majority in the respective chamber. Chaisson headed a Democratic Senate majority of 23 to 16 (it's now a 22-17 Republican majority), but he indicated that he will seek "bipartisanship" in a bid to work with the governor and the Republican lawmakers. Since then with a series of party switches, the Senate now has a Republican majority for the first time since Reconstruction. A Republican senator, Michael J. Michot
Michael J. Michot
Michael John "Mike" Michot is the departing senior Republican member of the Louisiana State Senate, having represented District 23 since the year 2000. He is the outgoing hairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Michot was unopposed for his third Senate term in the nonpartisan blanket primary...
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...
, had sought the Senate presidency, but Jindal deferred to the Democratic majority as Chaisson promised cooperation.
On a 2009 conflict between the Louisiana Senate leadership and the House on budget priorities, see cuts to higher education.
Political career
Chaisson graduated in 1980 from the University of New OrleansUniversity 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...
. In 1983, he procured 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...
law degree from 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. That same year, his political career began, when at the age of 23, he was elected to a term on the St. Charles Parish Council, a combination city-county position. St. Charles Parish is located in New Orleans' suburbs. Its parish seat is Hahnville
Hahnville, Louisiana
Hahnville is a census-designated place in and the parish seat of St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,792 at the 2000 census...
.
Chaisson was elected to the Louisiana House in 1991. In the primary on October 19, he trailed the Democratic incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
, Ralph R. Miller, 7,104 (46 percent) to 6,570 (43 percent). The remaining 1,780 votes (12 percent) went to Emile J. Garlepied, another Democrat. In the November 16 state election, Chaisson unseated Miller, 9,023 (51 percent) to 8,604 (49 percent).
In 1995, Chaisson won his second term in the state House when he defeated Republican Robert "Bobby" Riggs, 9,759 (63 percent) to 5,736 (37 percent) in the primary.
In the jungle primary
Jungle primary
A nonpartisan blanket primary is a primary election in which all candidates for elected office run in the same primary regardless of political party. Under this system, the top two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the next round, as in a runoff election...
held on October 23, 1999, Chaisson unseated fellow Democrat Ron Landry in the Senate election 20,906 (53 percent) to 18,778 (47 percent). Chaisson was thereafter unopposed in the senatorial primaries of 2003 and 2007.
Chaisson is Roman Catholic and a member of the men's Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
order. He is also active in the Lions Club. He and his wife, the former Sandra Stage (born 1951), have a daughter, Martine. Chaisson lists his hobbies as real estate development and deep-sea fishing.
Will Sentell of the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate Capitol News Bureau wrote in 2007 that Chaisson's career is "one of beating long odds." Chaisson has the support of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, known by the acronym LABI, is the largest and most successful business lobbying group in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It was founded in Baton Rouge in 1976, when Louisiana adopted a new right-to-work law during the administration of Democratic...
. However, he is not a firm ally of social conservatives in the legislature.
Chaisson's leadership counterpart in the Louisiana House is Speaker Jim Tucker
Jim Tucker (Louisiana politician)
James Wayne Tucker, known as Jim Tucker , 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...
of 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...
, also in the New Orleans suburbs. Tucker is a Republican although Democrats started with a slight majority in the House; party affiliation is just one of several factors which affect choices in leadership positions in the legislature.
Ineligible to run for the state Senate in the primary held on October 22, 2011, Chaisson will be succeeded by Gary L. Smith, Jr., who also followed him in the House twelve years earlier. Smith polled 16,501 votes (59.5 percent) to defeat the Republican Garrett C. Monti, who trailed with 11,215 votes (40.5 percent).
On October 25, 2011, Governor Jindal tapped 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:...
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....
, whom the Republican Party had virgorouly opposed in the 2007 senatorial campaign, as his choice to succeed Chaisson as State Senate President, effective January 2012. On approval by his colleagues, Alario would become only the second person in Louisiana and United States history to have been the presiding officer of both the state House and the state Senate since the death in 2005 of Senator John Hainkel
John Hainkel
John Joseph Hainkel, Jr., was a gregarious, ruffled, and raspy-voiced legislator from New Orleans who died in office after thirty-seven years of service...
of New Orleans. Four state Senate seats will not be determined until the November 19, 2011, general election. Jindal claimed to have commitments from twenty of the thirty-nine senators to support Alario.
External links
- Louisiana State Senate - Joel T. Chaisson, II official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Joel T. Chaisson, II (LA) profile