Michel Claudet

Michel H. Claudet
President of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, USA
Incumbent
Assumed office
2008
Deputy Natalie Robottom[1]
Patrick Gordon (Interim)[2]
Al Levron[3]
Preceded by Don Schwab
Personal details
Born September 20, 1948 (1948-09-20) (age 63)
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.

Contents

Early years and education

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]

The election of 2007

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]

Hurricane Gustav

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]

2011 campaign for re-election

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]

Electoral History

2007 Race for Terrebonne Parish President – Primary

Voters to choose one:
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

Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Michel H. Claudet, Rep. 11,629   53%    Elected
Jerry J. Larpenter, Dem. 10,344   47%    Defeated

References

  1. ^ http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20080131/NEWS/801310313
  2. ^ http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20080612/ARTICLES/806120317
  3. ^ http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20090523/ARTICLES/905239997
  4. ^ http://www.tpcg.org/view.php?f=administration&p=pres_bio
  5. ^ http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcpr&rqsdta=10200755
  6. ^ http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcpr&rqsdta=11170755
  7. ^ http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20071118/OPINION/711180309
  8. ^ http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20080829/ARTICLES/808299951
  9. ^ http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/080902-gustav-timeline_2.html
  10. ^ http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20080901/articles/809019957
  11. ^ http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20080915/HURBLOG/809150899?p=1&tc=pg
  12. ^ http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20080903/HURBLOG/809030244
  13. ^ http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20110814/ARTICLES/110819748
Preceded by
Don Schwab (D)		 President of the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government

Michel Claudet (R)
2008–

 Succeeded by
Incumbent