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District Office
Legislative Assistant : Kelli Walker
Email Norby Chabert
Phone: (985) 858-2927
Fax: --
Address: P.O. Box 2417
Houma, LA 70361
Map
Capitol House Switch Band: (225) 342-2058
Capitol House Fax: (225)342-0636
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- District #: House District 0
- Party: Democrat
- Caucus Membership:
- Occupation: Chabert Development, LLC
- Education: South Terrebonne High School;,
Nicholls State University - Spouse: Single
- Year Elected: 2009
- Last Year Eligible(Term Limit): 2020
- 2009 Election
The Senate District 20 seat became vacant in the days following the 2009 regular session when then-Sen. Reggie Dupre, a Democrat, left to become Terrebonne Parish’s levee manager. The resulting race became one based firmly in party ideology, with Chabert claiming his opponent, Republican Brent Callais, was too far to the right and Callais contending Chabert was too far left. In many ways, despite his name recognition, Chabert began the race as an underdog. Gov. Bobby Jindal had come out in support of Callais and the state Republican Party spent more money than ever before in the district. Many of the state’s top lobbies were backing Callais as well. In the end, the outside influence helped Chabert label Callais as the proverbial insider and voters responded in turn by placing trust – once again – in the name they had known for generations.
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Registered Voters by Parish: Lafourche 42.3%, Terrebonne 57.7%
Municipalities/Communities Represented: Bayou Cane, Chauvin, Cut Off, Dulac, Galliano, Golden Meadow, Houma, Larose, Lockport, Mathews, Montegut, Raceland
- Louisiana Map
- District Map
- Metro Map
Social: The names of bayous, which give shape and definition to this area, also reveal the overwhelmingly French character of the people who live here. Somewhat different in social makeup is the city of Houma. Educational levels tend to be somewhat higher in this district seat, as does the median income. Mardi Gras is also taken very seriously in Houma, which boasts the second largest carnival celebration outside the Crescent City. Residents throughout Senate District 20 tend to be predominantly middle-class to lower-middle-class, with few pockets of poverty. There is a small African-American community in the city of Houma and concentrations of Native Americans in the Dulac and Golden Meadow areas, but it is largely Caucasian.
Political: This district is supportive of Democratic and Republican candidates, particularly if they are Catholics and have French names. But both can be successful here. There is a strong business community in Houma and practically all coastal issues are either potentially or highly controversial.
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- Norby Chabert, a Democratic businessman and former political consultant, is new to the Senate but his name is not. He now currently holds the same seat previously occupied by his brother, Marty, and more notably his father, Leonard, who wielded considerable power in the region and state for more than a generation. While he has not yet served in a regular session, Chabert has made it clear that his top policy issue will consistently be health care. In particular, Chabert will become the lead voice for Houma’s charity hospital, which bears the name of his late father – the Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center. He’s also prepared to be the banner-waiver for Nicholls State University in the Senate.
Obviously, growing up around the political process has benefitted Chabert, as he’s been able to land a slew of committee assignments that will be important to the region. Traditionally, the senator representing District 20 has become a floor leader on coastal issues ranging from conservation and oil exploration to fisheries and wildlife. Chabert seems to have the chops to assume that role. He’s a member of the Senate Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Coastal Restoration and Flood Control. He promised voters that the first thing he would do when elected would be to find a project that moves sediment into the Barataria Basin between Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. Tax breaks for commercial fishermen and processors are also on Chabert’s to-do list. Chabert will likewise serve on the Senate Insurance Committee as many coastal residents struggle to obtain and maintain property insurance.
To be certain, Chabert is planning on carrying a heavy load. He has already scored a chairmanship over the Senate Select Committee on Vocational and Technical Education and will be an interim member of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, where he’ll be able to keep watch over the redistricting process, another area of interest. Finally, Chabert is a member of the Senate Judiciary B Committee, which considers certain criminal justice and gaming matters.
During his short time in elected office, Chabert has developed important relationships with Senate President Joel Chaisson and others. During his campaign, Chabert often spoke about the importance of a Senate that’s independent of the executive branch. He also promised voters that he would not be an automatic vote for raising taxes and is more interested in the recent wave of streamlining initiatives for all sectors of government.
- Norby Chabert, a Democratic businessman and former political consultant, is new to the Senate but his name is not. He now currently holds the same seat previously occupied by his brother, Marty, and more notably his father, Leonard, who wielded considerable power in the region and state for more than a generation. While he has not yet served in a regular session, Chabert has made it clear that his top policy issue will consistently be health care. In particular, Chabert will become the lead voice for Houma’s charity hospital, which bears the name of his late father – the Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center. He’s also prepared to be the banner-waiver for Nicholls State University in the Senate.
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