| Eric Frederick Skrmetta | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana Public Service Commissioner | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Jay Blossman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 1, 1958 New Orleans, Orleans Parish Louisiana, USA |
| Nationality | Croatian-American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Deborah Gibson Skrmetta |
| Children | Two children |
| Residence | Metairie, Jefferson Parish Louisiana |
| Alma mater | Louisiana State University |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Eric Frederick Skrmetta (born October 1, 1958) is an attorney from Metairie, Louisiana, who is a Republican member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission from District 1, which includes suburban New Orleans, the eastern Florida Parishes, and the River Parishes.[1] The Public Service Commission is an influential regulatory agency which was the political springboard for former Governors Huey Long, Jimmie Davis, and John McKeithen.[2]
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A native of New Orleans, Skrmetta graduated from Brother Martin High School there. He then attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where in 1981 he received his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology. In 1985, he was a cum laude graduate (Juris Doctor) of Southern University School of Law, passed the Louisiana bar exam, and entered the practice of law. In 1986, Skrmetta received his LL.M. in admiralty law from Tulane University Law School. Since 1989, he has focused on legal mediation. He holds the District 81 seat on the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee. In 2003, he ran unsuccessfully for the District 81 seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives.[3]The position instead went to the strongly pro-life Republican John LaBruzzo, also of Metairie.
Skrmetta won the race for Public Service Commissioner in a runoff on November 4, 2008, after two other candidates (Bruce Kincade and Kenneth L. Odinet Sr.) were eliminated in the nonpartisan blanket primary. His runoff opponent was former Public Service Commissioner John F. Schwegmann, a former Democrat who had no party affiliation.[4] Skrmetta had the support of then-incumbent commissioner Jay Blossman, who was barred by term limits from seeking reelection.[5] Skrmetta assumed his commissionership office on January 1, 2009, for a term ending on December 31, 2014. Skrmetta's campaign demonstrated the political utility of open web sites such as Facebook.[6]
On PSC Skrmetta has sought clarification of Louisiana’s ethics regulations, which have tightened since the state’s populistic past. In particular he has sought to displace meal reimbursements to commissioners from regulated utility companies with reimbursements by PSC itself.[7]
Eric Skrmetta and his wife, the former Deborah Gibson, have two children. The Skrmettas are involved in various religious and community organizations. They reside in Metairie, where they attend Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.[8]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jay Blossman (R) |
Louisiana Public Service Commissioner from District 1
Eric Frederick Skrmetta (R) |
Succeeded by Incumbent |