Charles Boustany
| The Honorable Charles William Boustany, Jr. |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 7th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Chris John |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 21, 1956 Lafayette, Louisiana |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Bridget Boustany |
| Children | Erik and Ashley |
| Residence | Lafayette, Louisiana |
| Alma mater | University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana State University |
| Occupation | Surgeon |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
Charles William Boustany, Jr. (pronounced /bʊˈstæni/; born February 21, 1956) is the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 7th congressional district, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party.
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[edit] Early life, education, and medical career
Boustany was born in Lafayette to the former Madlyn M. Ackal and Charles W. Boustany, Sr., M.D. (1930–2009); his paternal grandparents, Alfred Frem Boustany and the former Florida Saloom, were immigrants from Lebanon.[1] The senior Boustany, a Democrat, served for sixteen years as coroner of Lafayette Parish. Congressman Boustany has nine siblings: James Boustany, Jon Boustany, Ron Boustany, Dr. Stella Boustany Noel, Terese Reggie, Kathryn Scurlock, Madlyn Juneau, Adele Weber, and Cheryn Eppley.[2]
Boustany, Jr., attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University. Boustany is a heart surgeon, who completed his residency in Rochester, New York before returning to Louisiana to take a job at Charity Hospital in New Orleans.
[edit] U.S. House of Representatives
[edit] Elections
Boustany won an open race in 2004, when Christopher "Chris" John, the incumbent Democrat, did not seek re-election in order to run for the U.S. Senate. Boustany, another Republican (the late David Thibodaux of Lafayette) and two Democrats vied for the House seat.
In the primary election, Boustany won 39 percent, with the next highest vote-getter being Democratic State Senator Willie Landry Mount, the former mayor of Lake Charles, who received 25 percent. Under Louisiana's nonpartisan blanket primary system, in the event no candidate wins a "50 percent plus one vote" total, a runoff is conducted between the two top candidates, regardless of party.
In the resulting December 4 runoff election, in which then Vice President Dick Cheney campaigned on behalf of Boustany, the Republican prevailed, 55 percent to 45 percent for Willie Mount. He became only the second Republican to represent the district, the first being Jimmy Hayes (who switched from the Democrats in 1995).
In the Louisiana House elections of 2006, Boustany won with 71 percent of the vote, handily defeating Democrat Mike Stagg despite the national tide that favored Democratic congressional nominees.[3]
- 2008
Boustany was reelected over Don Cravins, Jr., and Peter Vidrine.
- 2010
Boustany was unopposed in 2010.[4]
- 2012
Boustany's district was eliminated due to redistricting. He will run in the newly redrawn Louisiana's 3rd congressional district. Landry was endorsed by Citizens United. Landry lead Boustany in third-quarter 2011 fundraising, $251,000 to $218,000. According to Federal Election Commission, Boustany leads in cash-on-hand lead, $1.1 million-$402,000.[5]
[edit] Tenure
Boustany's plan for reinvigorating the economy of his district is known as the Prescription for Prosperity.[6]
Representative Boustany presented the Republican response to President Obama's joint address to congress on Wednesday September 9th, 2009.
[edit] Committee assignments
[edit] Personal life
His wife, Bridget Edwards Boustany, is a niece of former Democratic Governor Edwin Washington Edwards.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ 1
- ^ "Obituary of Charles Boustany, Sr., M.D.". Baton Rouge Morning Advocate. http://www.legacy.com/theadvocate/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=125203346. Retrieved March 17, 2009.
- ^ Boustany secured a second term with 71 percent of vote, The Daily Advertiser
- ^ Unopposed Candidates in Acadiana, KATC.com
- ^ http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/1111/Citizens_United_goes_all_in_for_Landry_.html?showall
- ^ http://www.charlesboustany.com/site3.php
- ^ Jim Brown, "Internal Republican Battles Affect La. Congressional Races" from Jim Brown's Journal.
[edit] External links
- Congressman Charles Boustany official U.S. House site
- Charles Boustany, Jr., MD official campaign site
- Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Congressional profile at GovTrack
- Congressional profile at OpenCongress
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com
- Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
- Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Appearances on C-SPAN programs
- Louisiana Secretary of State — Official Parish Election Results, Parish of Lafayette
- "Kallakis previously convicted for American titles scam", Property Week, 03.04.09
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Chris John |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 7th congressional district 2005–present |
Incumbent |
| United States order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by Dan Boren D-Oklahoma |
United States Representatives by seniority 231st |
Succeeded by Russ Carnahan D-Missouri |
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- 1956 births
- American Episcopalians
- American surgeons
- American politicians of Lebanese descent
- Living people
- Louisiana Republicans
- Louisiana State University alumni
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana
- People from Lafayette, Louisiana
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette alumni
