Garret Graves
| Garret Graves | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 6th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Cassidy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 31, 1972 Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Carissa Graves |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Catholic High School |
| Occupation | Coastal Preservation |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Garret Neal Graves (born January 31, 1972)[1] is the United States Representative from Louisiana's 6th congressional district. In a runoff election on December 6, 2014, Graves, a Republican, defeated the Democratic candidate, former Governor Edwin Edwards. Graves received 139,209 votes (62.4 percent) to Edwards's 83,781 (37.6 percent).[2]
Career
Graves served as an aide for nine years to former U.S. Representative Billy Tauzin of Louisiana's 3rd congressional district. He was also a legislative aide to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, of which Tauzin served as chairmam.[3] In 2005, he became an aide for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, serving Republican U.S. Senator David Vitter. He was the staff director for the United States Senate Subcommittee on Climate Change and Impacts. He also worked for Democratic former U.S. Senator John Breaux, a protege of Edwin Edwards.[4] He served as a chief legislative aide to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.[5]
In 2008, Governor Bobby Jindal appointed Graves to manage the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. In the position, he negotiated on behalf of the state with British Petroleum over the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.[4] He resigned the position effective February 17, 2014.[5]
In March 2014, Graves announced his intention to run in the 2014 election to the United States House of Representatives for Louisiana's 6th congressional district; incumbent Republican Bill Cassidy ran successfully instead against the incumbent Democrat Mary Landrieu for the U.S. Senate.[6] In the 2014 jungle primary, Edwin Edwards finished in first place with 30 percent of the vote; Graves was the runner-up with 27 percent. Graves and Edwards advanced to the December 6 runoff election.[4]
Personal life
Graves is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana,[7] and he still resides there.[5] His father, John, owns an engineering firm that contracts with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that Graves oversees on the House Natural Resource Committee.[3]
References
- ↑ "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). Roll Call. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ↑ "Runoff election returns, December 6, 2014". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Questions remain about potential conflict". HoumaToday.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Edwin Edwards, Garret Graves headed for runoff in 6th Congressional District". NOLA.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Jindal coastal adviser Garret Graves resigns, effective Feb. 17". NOLA.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Former Jindal adviser running for Congress". theadvocate.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ↑ "New coastal director has strong local knowledge". HoumaToday.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
External links
- Official House website
- Garret Graves for Congress
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Profile at Project Vote Smart
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bill Cassidy |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 6th congressional district 2015–present |
Incumbent |
| United States order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by Gwen Graham D-Florida | United States Representatives by seniority 397th |
Succeeded by Glenn Grothman R-Wisconsin |
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