Jim Tucker (Louisiana politician)

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James Wayne Tucker, known as Jim Tucker (born 1964),^[1], the choice of Governor Bobby Jindal is the first Republican (GOP) Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives since Reconstruction. An investment banker from the Terrytown section of the New Orleans metropolitan area, Tucker's District 86 includes precincts from both Jefferson and Orleans parishes. He has held the seat since his victory in a special election on March 17, 2001.^[2]

Although Democrats will still outnumber Republicans in the Louisiana House, 53-50 (with two "No Party" members), as of January 14, 2008, the governor in Louisiana traditionally recommends the Speaker, and House members concur despite the separation of powers. Tucker said that some seventy members, including nearly twenty Democrats, had pre-committed to his candidacy, including African American Representative and former congressional candidate Karen Carter Peterson of New Orleans. He will succeed outgoing Democratic Speaker Joe Salter of Florien in Sabine Parish in north Louisiana, who had been recommended in 2003 by Jindal's predecessor, outgoing Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. ^[3]

As head of the House Republican Caucus, Tucker spearheaded GOP opposition to Blanco's legislative initiatives, especially in regard to state spending. Jindal, a departing Republican congressman from suburban New Orleans, said that he wants to prevent Washington D.C.-style partisanship from taking root in the state capital, Baton Rouge. Jindal said that Tucker's "bipartisan coalition" indicates that the new Speaker can work well with members of both parties.^[4]

Democratic State Representative Don Cazayoux of New Roads, the seat of Pointe Coupee Parish north of Baton Rouge, had pursued the leadership post and questioned why Jindal got involved so soon in the selection process. Jindal said that he is ratifying a consensus choice already made by lawmakers. After losing the speakership to Tucker, Cazayoux decided to run for the United States House of Representatives to replace Republican Richard Hugh Baker, who resigned.

For Senate president, Jindal recommended Democratic State Senator Joel Thomas Chaisson, II, of Destrehan in St. Charles Parish, also in the New Orleans suburbs. Democrats easily control the Senate, twenty-three to sixteen and selected Chaisson, who has pledged "bipartisanship".

Tucker won his House seat in 2001, when he defeated fellow Republican Robert B. "Robby" Evans, III, 2,509 (58 percent) to 1,794 (42 percent) to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Republican Stephen J. Windhorst of Terrytown, who had been elected to a judgeship in the 24th Judicial District.^[5] Tucker was unopposed for full terms in 2003 and 2007.^[6] Tucker hence became Speaker without ever polling more than 2,509 votes in a contested legislative election.

Tucker graduated from O.P. Walker Senior High School in New Orleans. He obtained a bachelor of science degree from the University of New Orleans. He is married to the former Joy Santos (born 1961).^[7]

As the new Speaker, Tucker will name the chairmen of seventeen House committees.

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