Michel H. Claudet | |
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President of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, USA | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 2008 |
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Deputy | Natalie Robottom[1] Patrick Gordon (Interim)[2] Al Levron[3] |
Preceded by | Don Schwab |
Personal details | |
Born | September 20, 1948 Lockport, Louisiana |
Political party | Republican |
Profession | Businessman, Attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Life Underwriter |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Website | http://www.michelclaudet.com |
Michel H. Claudet (born September 20, 1948) is the current President of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Elected in 2007, he is the only Republican to be elected President of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, and the sixth person elected as "Parish President" of the combined City of Houma and Terrebonne Parish government. An attorney, businessman, CPA and CLU, Claudet had never before held political office.
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Claudet was born in Lockport. He graduated high school in 1966 from Holy Savior Central High School in Lockport. After graduation, he chose Louisiana State University as his college, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970 allowing him to take the test to be certified as a CPA. While working full-time as a CPA, he went on to further his education and graduated in 1977 from Loyola Law School with a Juris Doctorate.[4]
Claudet announced his candidacy for Parish President in August 2007 with his "New Way" campaign. After months of campaigning, he faced off against Sheriff Jerry Larpenter, Former Parish President Barry Bonvillain, Businessman Mike Fesi II and Solid Waste Director Eulin Guidry in the October 20 primary election. No candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast, Claudet (31%) and Larpenter (37%) were elected to go against each other in a run off election.[5]
On November 17, voters went back to the polls and chose the political newcomer, Claudet (53%) over the popular incumbent Sheriff, Larpenter (47%) in what was considered to be a major political upset.[6][7]
During the final days of August 2008, Hurricane Gustav entered the Gulf of Mexico. Claudet issued a State of Emergency declaration on August 28 and called for a mandatory evacuation of Terrebonne Parish.[8] The category 2 storm made landfall at 10:30 a.m. on September 1 over Cocodrie, Louisiana.[9] The parish of Terrebonne and the surrounding areas suffered extensive and damaging winds leading to the destruction of property which rendered much of the region without power.[10] Less than 24 hours after Gustav’s landfall, Claudet told Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, U.S. Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff and other federal and state officials that he was incapable of managing the response to Gustav.[11] The next day Claudet ceeded power to Sheriff, Vernon Bourgeois, placing him in full control of the parish’s recovery efforts.[12]
Claudet announced in November 2010 that he intends to seek re-election in October 2011. Other candidates who have entered the race thus far include: Parish Council Chairman Clayton Voisin, Former Parish President Barry Bonvillain, business owner Mike Fesi Sr., and Herdis Neil, a cattle rancher from Dulac, LA.[13]
2007 Race for Terrebonne Parish President – Primary
Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
Barry P. Bonvillain, Dem. | 5,620 | 20% | Defeated |
Michel H. Claudet, Rep. | 8,731 | 31% | Runoff |
Michael Fesi II, Rep. | 2,326 | 8% | Defeated |
Eulin Guidry, Rep. | 1,013 | 4% | Defeated |
Jerry J. Larpenter, Dem. | 10,395 | 37% | Runoff |
2007 Race for Terrebonne Parish President – Runoff
Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
Michel H. Claudet, Rep. | 11,629 | 53% | Elected |
Jerry J. Larpenter, Dem. | 10,344 | 47% | Defeated |
Preceded by Don Schwab (D) |
President of the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government
Michel Claudet (R) |
Succeeded by Incumbent |