Don Cazayoux

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Don Cazayoux
U.S. Representative Don Cazayoux
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  May 6, 2008
Preceded by	Richard Baker
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 18th district
In office 2000 – May 6, 2008
Preceded by	Robert "Rob" Marionneaux, Jr.
Succeeded by	TBD
Born	January 17, 1964 (1964-01-17) (age 44) New Roads, La.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Cherie Cazayoux
Children	Michael, Chavanne, and Katie Cazayoux
Residence	New Roads, Louisiana
Occupation	Attorney
Religion	Roman Catholic
Website	Congressman Don Cazayoux

Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr. (pronounced ['kæʒu]), usually known as Don Cazayoux (born January 17, 1964), is the new Democratic U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 6th congressional district.^[1] He won the special election held on May 3, 2008, to fill the seat vacated on February 2 by Republican U.S. Representative Richard H. Baker of Baton Rouge. He defeated Republican nominee Louis E. "Woody" Jenkins and took his oath of office from Speaker Nancy Pelosi on May 6.^[2]

[edit] Early life

Originally from New Roads, Cazayoux is Roman Catholic. He graduated from the Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee in 1982.^[3] He earned his bachelor of arts degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. After finishing his studies, Cazayoux practiced law and then became a prosecutor for Pointe Coupee Parish. As an Assistant District Attorney under 18th Judicial District Attorney, Richard "Ricky" Ward, he never lost a jury trial.

[edit] Louisiana Legislature

Cazayoux was first elected to the state legislature in 1999. He represented District 18, a heavily Democratic district that includes his home in Pointe Coupee Parish as well as Iberville, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana parishes. In the legislature, he became one of the few freshmen ever appointed to the powerful Appropriations Committee. He also worked for passage of laws to assist law enforcement in cracking down on child sexual predators.

After his reelection in 2007, Cazayoux attempted to become Speaker of the state House, but the position went to Republican Jim Tucker of the New Orleans suburbs.

[edit] Congressional election

Main article: Louisiana's 6th congressional district special election, 2008

Cazayoux announced his candidacy for the 6th District shortly after Baker resigned. With the strong backing of the national party, he easily defeated fellow state representative Michael L. Jackson, who represents a portion of Baton Rouge, in the Democratic primary.

Jenkins is a newspaper publisher who represented part of Baton Rouge in the Louisiana House from 1972 to 2000. In the special election, Cazayoux received 49,702 votes (49.2 percent), to Jenkins' 46,741 (46.3 percent). Three minor candidates shared the remaining 4.52 percent of the ballots cast. Cazayoux clinched the seat with a nearly 5,000-vote margin in Jenkins' own East Baton Rouge Parish. Jenkins' greatest strength was in Livingston Parish, a heavily Republican suburb of Baton Rouge.^[4] The defeat marked Jenkins' fifth defeat for major office — U.S. Senate in 1978, 1980, and 1996, and the former position of Louisiana elections commissioner in 1999.

In his congressional bid, Cazayoux had the support of organized labor, including the United Steelworkers,^[5] as well as many traditional Democratic constituency groups. Cazayoux ran several ads making sport of difficulties people may have pronouncing his Cajun last name. His first ad began with his daughters saying their father might have a hard time in the race because of it.^[6] The National Republican Congressional Committee released an ad referring to him as "Don Tax You."^[7]

Cazayoux is the first Democrat to represent the 6th since four-term incumbent John Rarick was defeated in the 1974 Democratic primary. The seat was won that fall by Republican Henson Moore, who held it for twelve years before giving way to Baker in 1987.

Cazayoux is running for a full term in November.^[8]

[edit] Politics

Cazayoux is considered a moderate-to-conservative Democrat, which is typical for most Louisiana Democrats outside New Orleans. He strongly supports the right to life and gun rights.^[9] The latter stance earned him an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association.^[10] He also supports expanding SCHIP, and favors withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq. He calls himself "a John Breaux Democrat."^[11]

[edit] Personal life

Cazayoux is a former president of the New Roads branch of the Lions Club (2002-2003). He and his wife, Cherie (married 1986), have three children, Michael, Chavanne, and Katie.^[12] Cazayoux is a distant relative of former U.S. Representative Lindy Boggs of New Orleans.^[2]

[edit] See also

• Louisiana's 6th congressional district special election, 2008

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Congressman Don Cazayoux official U.S. House website
• Don Cazayoux U.S. Congress official campaign website

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com