Rep. Richard, Jerome (I)
District# 55, Thibodaux

• District # 55: House District 1
• Party: Independent
• Caucus Membership: Acadiana Delegation
  Louisiana Rural Caucus
  
• Occupation: Territory sales manager, Curtiss Wright Flow Controls
  
• Education: Thibodaux High School, 1973; Louisiana State University, B. S., 1978
• Spouse: Single
• Year Elected: 2007
• Last Year Eligible(Term Limit): 2020
• 2007 Election
  Richard handily defeated Michael "Mike" Matherne, a Democrat, with 59 percent of the vote in the runoff following a packed primary battle.
  

• Louisiana Map
• District Map
• Metro Map
• Economic: District 55 consists of the northern portion of Lafourche Parish. The economy is largely agricultural, with an emphasis on sugar cane. Recently, John Deere purchased Cameco, a manufacturer of harvesting equipment near Thibodaux. Plantations and smaller sugar cane farms line Bayou Lafourche from Raceland to Thibodaux and up to the Assumption Parish line, which serves as the northern edge of the district. Nicholls State University, a four-year institution with 7,000 students, also plays a vital role in the economy. In addition, the area has medical and service-oriented companies.
• Social: The district is French in character, with a broad cross-section of socio-economic groups. The population includes sugar planters, farmers, teachers, professors and working –class individuals. The district also serves as a bedroom community for many working in Houma and New Orleans. Rural poverty also is found.
• Political: The area is moderate to conservative. Business groups and labor unions both are represented. A fierce battle between business and national and international maritime unions has existed since 1999, with business interests claiming victory in 2003. Cajuns like Edwin Edwards and Billy Tauzin were strong vote getters in this area, but Mike Foster also ran well. Democrats are still the majority, but Republicans are growing. It’s truly a mixed bag – both Bobby Jindal and Bob Odom carried the district in 2007.

• Jerome "Dee" Richard, who has no party affiliation, replaces longtime and outspoken Rep. Warren Triche. He comes from the world of local politics, most recently as president of the Thibodaux city council. He also served 10 years as a member of the Lafourche Parish School Board. Privately, he is a territory manager in the petrochemical industry.
• As a member of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, he’ll play major role in the upcoming redistricting process. The committee, in fact, is a home base of sorts for his policymaking. He been a floor leader on certain election issues coming out the Secretary of State’s Office and is interested in transparency legislation.
• Due to his district’s close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, it isn’t surprising that Richard’s top issues will be coastal restoration and hurricane protection. Primarily, expect him to key in on flooding, saltwater intrusion and environmental issues.
• Additionally, he is interested in addressing any deficiencies in education, workforce development and health care. All three of those issues, however, dovetail into his other major focus: Nicholls State University, which is located inside the district. He will be looking to ensure the university is properly funded. Richard supported the Blueprint ethics reform agenda in the 2007 campaign.