Nicholas Lorusso

Nicholas Joseph Lorusso (born November 1967), is an attorney from New Orleans, Louisiana, who is a Republican former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 94 in Orleans Parish. He resides with his wife, Michelle, and their three children, in the Lake Vista neighborhood.^[1]

In 1985, Lorusso graduated from Roman Catholic-affiliated Jesuit High School in New Orleans. In 1988, he received the Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of New Orleans. In 1992, he obtained the Juris Doctor degree from the Louisiana State University Law Center in Baton Rouge.^[2] He is a veteran of the United States Army.^[1] He is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Judge Advocate General's office.^[3]

Lorusso won his House seat in a special election called upon the resignation of long-term Republican Representative Peppi Bruneau. Bruneau's son, Jeb Bruneau, entered the race to succeed his father. In a low-turnout runoff contest, Lorusso defeated Jeb Bruneau, 2,592 votes (59.7 percent) to 1,751 (40.3 percent).^[4]

Lorusso nearly won the representative's post outright for a full four-year term in the regular nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 20, 2007. He polled 4,470 votes (48.7 percent). In second place was the Democrat Deborah Langhoff, who received 2,638 votes (28.8 percent). A second Republican, Adrian Bruneau, another son of Peppi Bruneau, obtained 1,897 votes (20.7 percent). An Independent, William Vanderwall, Sr., held the remaining 166 votes (1.8 percent).^[5] In the November 17 general election, Lorusso defeated Langhoff, 4,177 votes (62.5 percent) to 2,508 (37.5 percent).^[6] 37.52% 2508

Lorusso served on these House committees: (1) Civil Law and Procedure as vice chair, (2) House and Governmental Affairs, (3) Judiciary, and (4) Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.^[2]

In 2010, Lorusso was rated 94 percent by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and 100 percent from the Louisiana Family Forum. In 2009, he received a 64 percent score from the Louisiana National Federation of Independent Business. 2008, he was rated 100 percent by the Louisiana Right to Life Federation.^[3]

As a candidate for reelection to a second full term in the reconfigured District 94 in the October 22 primary election, Lorusso defeated legislative colleague John LaBruzzo, who was moved from District 81. Lorusso polled 5,087 votes (56.6 percent) to LaBruzzo's 3,909 (43.5 percent).^[7]

Lorusso lost his bid for a third term in the House in the primary election held on October 24, 2015. He was unseated by fellow Republican Stephanie Hilferty, 6,866 votes (56.2 percent) to 5,343 (43.8 percent).^[8]

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