Joel Robideaux
Encyclopedia
Joel Craig Robideaux is a Certified Public Accountant
from Lafayette
, Louisiana
, who is an Independent-turned-Republican
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from District 45 in Lafayette Parish
. In 2010, he was narrowly elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the chamber, the first then Independent ever to hold the position.
On September 1, 2011, Robidaux announced that he was joining the Republican Party. Earlier Robideaux was chosen Speaker Pro Tempore over the Democrat
Noble Ellington
of Winnsboro
, who later switched to Republican affiliation. The contest became open with the resignation of Democratic Representative Karen Carter Peterson
, who instead became a state senator
. In the heated campaign to choose Peterson's successor, Speaker Tucker even removed Representative John Schroder
of Covington
in St. Tammany Parish
from the House Appropriations Committee because Tucker claimed that Schroder had reneged from a prior pledge to support Robideaux, instead of Ellington. Schroder denied having ever made such a commitment to support Robideaux.
, then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He obtained a master's degree in finance from Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge
. Robideaux coaches youth sports and has taught accounting on an adjunct basis at ULL. He was the charter president of Kiwanis International of Vermilion. He is a former board member for Camp Bon Couer and Habitat for Humanity. He and his wife, Bobette M. Robideaux, have three sons. In 2007, Robideaux and his Louisina State Senate
colleague Michael J. Michot
of Lafayette sponsored the transportation bill to fund priority road projects.
of Lafayette. Robideaux finished second in the special election, with 1,622 votes (27 percent). Leading the five-candidate field was Republican Steven G. "Buzz" Durio, with 1,850 votes (30.9 percent). Two other Republicans, Denice Comeaux-Skinner and L. T. "Butch" Dupre, and another Independent, Beverly Broussard Wilson, polled the remaining 42 percent of the vote. No Democrat ran that year. In the second balloting on April 17, Robideaux defeated Durio, 2,751 (55 percent) to 2,223 (44.7 percent).
Unopposed for a second term in 2007, Robideaux served on these committees: (1) Retirement, (2) Ways and Means, (3) Appropriations (ex officio by virtue of being Speaker Pro Tempore), (4) Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay, (5) Legislative Budgetary Control Council, (6) House Executive Committee (ex officio), and (7) Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (ex officio).
In 2010, Robideaux voted 100 percent with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
. He supported the Louisiana Family Forum
90 percent of the time in 2010 but only 75 percent in 2009. In 2011, he voted against a failed proposal to ban hand-held cellular devices whle driving. He also opposed an increase in the state tobacco tax.
District 45 is heavily conservative, pro-life, and Catholic. Included in the district is the southwestern portion of Lafayette Parish, including the city of Scott
and the area about ULL, the University Medical Center, and the Cajundome
.
W. David Chance, in the primary election held on October 22, 2011.
Robideaux is a candidate for Speaker in 2012. On October 25, 2011, Governor Bobby Jindal
endorsed Chuck Kleckley
of Lake Charles
as his choice to succeed the term-limited Jim Tucker as Speaker. Others seeking the Speakership are Baton Rouge Republican Representatives Hunter Greene
and Erich Ponti
and the Democrat Jeff Arnold of New Orleans
.The House of Representatives usually confirms the governor's choice as the Speaker.
Outgoing Speaker Tucker narrowly lost his race against GOP
incumbent Tom Schedler
for Louisiana Secretary of State in the 2011 primary election.
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
from 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...
, 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...
, who is an Independent-turned-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 45 in Lafayette Parish
Lafayette Parish, Louisiana
Lafayette Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Lafayette. According to the 2010 Census, its population was recorded as 221,578....
. In 2010, he was narrowly elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the chamber, the first then Independent ever to hold the position.
On September 1, 2011, Robidaux announced that he was joining the Republican Party. Earlier Robideaux was chosen Speaker Pro Tempore over the 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...
Noble Ellington
Noble Ellington
Noble Edward Ellington, II , is a wealthy cotton merchant from Winnsboro, the seat of Franklin Parish in northeastern Louisiana, who is a freshman, and as of December 17, 2010, a Republican, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 20...
of Winnsboro
Winnsboro, Louisiana
Winnsboro is a city in and the parish seat of Franklin Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of July 2009, the estimated city population was 4,377...
, who later switched to Republican affiliation. The contest became open with the resignation of Democratic Representative 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...
, who instead became a 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...
. In the heated campaign to choose Peterson's successor, Speaker Tucker even removed Representative John Schroder
John Schroder
John Michael Schroder, Sr. , is a businessman from Covington, Louisiana, who is a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 77 in St. Tammany Parish in suburban New Orleans. Schroder was first elected to the House in 2007 by a conservative constituency in both St...
of Covington
Covington, Louisiana
Covington is a city in and the parish seat of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,483 at the 2000 census. It is located at a fork of the Bogue Falaya and the Tchefuncte River....
in 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....
from the House Appropriations Committee because Tucker claimed that Schroder had reneged from a prior pledge to support Robideaux, instead of Ellington. Schroder denied having ever made such a commitment to support Robideaux.
Background
A Lafayette native, Robideaux graduated from Roman Catholic Our Lady of Fatima High School and the University of Louisiana at LafayetteUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or UL Lafayette, is a coeducational, public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the heart of Acadiana...
, then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He obtained a master's degree in finance 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
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...
. Robideaux coaches youth sports and has taught accounting on an adjunct basis at ULL. He was the charter president of Kiwanis International of Vermilion. He is a former board member for Camp Bon Couer and Habitat for Humanity. He and his wife, Bobette M. Robideaux, have three sons. In 2007, Robideaux and his Louisina 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...
colleague 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 sponsored the transportation bill to fund priority road projects.
Legislative service
Robideaux was first elected to the House in a special election held in the spring of 2004 to succeed Democrat Jerry Luke LeBlanc, who resigned to join the incoming administration of Governor Kathleen BlancoKathleen Blanco
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco was the 54th Governor of Louisiana, having served from January 2004 until January 2008. She was the first woman to be elected to the office of governor of Louisiana....
of Lafayette. Robideaux finished second in the special election, with 1,622 votes (27 percent). Leading the five-candidate field was Republican Steven G. "Buzz" Durio, with 1,850 votes (30.9 percent). Two other Republicans, Denice Comeaux-Skinner and L. T. "Butch" Dupre, and another Independent, Beverly Broussard Wilson, polled the remaining 42 percent of the vote. No Democrat ran that year. In the second balloting on April 17, Robideaux defeated Durio, 2,751 (55 percent) to 2,223 (44.7 percent).
Unopposed for a second term in 2007, Robideaux served on these committees: (1) Retirement, (2) Ways and Means, (3) Appropriations (ex officio by virtue of being Speaker Pro Tempore), (4) Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay, (5) Legislative Budgetary Control Council, (6) House Executive Committee (ex officio), and (7) Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (ex officio).
In 2010, Robideaux voted 100 percent with 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...
. He supported the Louisiana Family Forum
Louisiana Family Forum
Louisiana Family Forum is a social conservative non-profit advocacy group based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The organization supports Louisiana's covenant marriage law and opposes abortion and same-sex marriage...
90 percent of the time in 2010 but only 75 percent in 2009. In 2011, he voted against a failed proposal to ban hand-held cellular devices whle driving. He also opposed an increase in the state tobacco tax.
District 45 is heavily conservative, pro-life, and Catholic. Included in the district is the southwestern portion of Lafayette Parish, including the city of Scott
Scott, Louisiana
Scott is the second largest municipality in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population rose to over 8,000 according to the 2010 census results.Scott is a suburb of Lafayette and is part of the Lafayette Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and the area about ULL, the University Medical Center, and the Cajundome
Cajundome
The Cajundome is a 13,500 seat multi-purpose arena in Lafayette, Louisiana. It is home to the Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns basketball teams of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette Wildcatters of the Southern Indoor Football League and the Louisiana high school basketball state...
.
Speaker candidacy
Robideaux, as a newly-declared Republican, was a runaway winner over his lone opponent, LibertarianLibertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
W. David Chance, in the primary election held on October 22, 2011.
Robideaux is a candidate for Speaker in 2012. On October 25, 2011, 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....
endorsed Chuck Kleckley
Chuck Kleckley
Charles Edward Kleckley, known as Chuck Kleckey , is a businessman in Lake Charles, Louisiana, who is a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 36 in southwestern Calcasieu Parish....
of Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
as his choice to succeed the term-limited Jim Tucker as Speaker. Others seeking the Speakership are Baton Rouge Republican Representatives Hunter Greene
Hunter Greene
Hunter Vann Greene is an attorney in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who is a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 66 in East Baton Rouge Parish....
and Erich Ponti
Erich Ponti
Erich Edward Ponti , a general contractor, is a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 69 in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana....
and the Democrat Jeff Arnold of 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...
.The House of Representatives usually confirms the governor's choice as the Speaker.
Outgoing Speaker Tucker narrowly lost his race against GOP
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...
incumbent 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...
for Louisiana Secretary of State in the 2011 primary election.