Sen. Dale M. Erdey (R)
District# 13,

• District # 13: House District 0
• Party: Republican
• Caucus Membership: --
• Occupation: Business Owner, Erdey Insurance and Real Estate
• Education: Doyle High School; B.S., Louisiana State University
• Spouse: Donna
• Year Elected:2008
• Last Year Eligible(Term Limit): 2016
• 2007 Election
Running unopposed during this most recent election cycle, Erdey replaced Heulette “Clo” Fontenot in District 13. Fontenot, also a Republican, was facing an easy reelection to the Senate, but opted not to run when his employer raised concerns that a possible leadership position in the upper chamber would take way too much time from his private job in the chemical industry.

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• Economic: This Livingston Parish district, which also entails a small portion of Baton Rouge, remains a so-called bedroom area for people who work in the capital city. It is one of the prime beneficiaries of the region’s “white flight,” which involves new residents fleeing the congestion of Baton Rouge.
  While many constituents are skilled laborers for the nearby petrochemical industry, occupations vary greatly. Reasonable home prices and high-performing public schools have also served as a catalyst for growth.
• Social: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are roughly 10,000 new residents in Livingston Parish. While out migration patterns from surrounding communities have benefited the parish, the bulk of the increase can be attributed to the wake of Hurricane Katrina and resulting population shift. Still, the electorate here retains a heavily-Protestant background that falls somewhere in the middle-class/suburban demographic. South of Interstate 12 in Livingston is the district’s less-populated areas with working-class and urban-poor residents.
• Political: District 13 has become progressively more conservative over the past decade and there is still some unmistakable union influence among residents. Opposition to taxes runs deep in Livingston Parish, where many residents believe the only good government is small government. Republicans run well here, as do conservative Democrats. Nonetheless, the parish is not averse to taxing itself, as evident by the success of several ballot initiatives in recent years.

• Dale Erdey is the son of a longtime Livingston mayor and himself served as mayor before he was elected to the Legislature, serving first in the House and now the Senate. Back home, he is the operator of a family insurance and real estate business. As such, he is well-versed on commerce and insurance issues.
• A conservative Republican, Erdey says the state needs to be run more like business. In the House, he opposed most forms of tax and fees, supporting less than a third of such proposals during his career. He also has a consistent record of opposing legislation related to gaming expansions.
• Largely, Erdey champions local issues for Livingston Parish, including operational needs for the 21st Judicial District Court. He is heavily involved in local boards and commissions and is constantly looking for ways to increase the amount of state dollars directed to Livingston.
  Erdey has received endorsements from LABI and the AFL-CIO and is a supporter of tort reform. Look for him to be involved on conservative issues involving crime in coming years, as he has made a promise to his constituency to support longer mandatory penalties.
• As vice chairman of the Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee, Erdy is always swinging for the fences when it comes to roads and highways. His top priorities are to secure additional funds for upgrades to I-12 and La. 16, and find solutions to problems caused by the district’s rapid growth. But above all, he is Mr. Livingston Parish in the Upper Chamber and nothing is too parochial. In recent years, he has increased per diems for sewer and recreation district members and helped create new school districts for his parish.