Troy Hebert

Troy Michael Hebert (born April 19, 1966) is a politician from Jeanerette, Louisiana, who is the current Commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.^[1] Hebert was appointed commissioner by Republican Governor Bobby Jindal. He previously served in the Louisiana House of Representatives and Louisiana State Senate.^[2]

Legislative career

Hebert also served on the Iberia Parish Council, equivalent to county commission in most other states, before being elected for three terms as a Democrat to the Louisiana House.^[2] Hebert served as chairman of the House Insurance Committee before being removed in March 2004 by the Speaker Joe R. Salter after Hebert voted against the renewal of a tax on business utilities.^[3]

In 2007, Hebert was term limited in the state House from District 49 (Iberia and Vermilion parishes) and was instead elected as a Democrat to represent District 22 in the State Senate.^[4] He won the general election over Republican Jeff Landry, 52-48 percent. In 2010, Landry was elected to the United States House of Representatives to succeed candidate Charlie Melancon, who instead lost the U.S. Senate race to David Vitter.^[4] After his election, Hebert was appointed chairman of the Senate Environment Committee.^[5]

In March 2010, Hebert changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Independent. He indicated that he wanted to work with lawmakers from both parties and to be able to support proposals regardless of which party proposed them.^[6]

Commissioner of the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control

Hebert announced in June 2010 that he would not seek a second term in the state senate in the fall of 2011. However, he resigned from the senate on November 24, 2010, to accept the appointment as Commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.^[2] He succeeds Murphy Painter who resigned in August 2010. The position pays $107,000 annually.^[7] State Representative Fred Henry Mills, Jr., of St. Martin Parish won the special election for Hebert's unexpired Senate term by defeating several opponents, including House colleague Simone B. Champagne of Jeanerette.

Personal life

Hebert is the son of Elton Charles Hebert (1930–2005).^[8] He is divorced and the father of two children, Hailey and Cade Hebert. He studied diesel mechanics at a vocational school and then attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana. From 1983 to 1988, he was a sugar cane farmer. He has also been a carpenter and contractor. He is a member of the Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce. Hebert is a Roman Catholic.^[9]

References