Clark Gaudin
Encyclopedia
Edward Clark Gaudin is a Baton Rouge attorney
who served for twenty-one years in the Louisiana House of Representatives
(1967–1968; 1972–1992) as the first Republican
member from East Baton Rouge Parish in the 20th century.
in Pointe Coupee Parish to Mr. and Mrs. Alton F. Gaudin. His father (1904–1999) was in the ice business and once hired young deLesseps Story Morrison, Sr., to work in the summer. Morrison went on to become mayor of New Orleans, ambassador to the Organization of American States
, and a three-time Democratic
gubernatorial contender. Gaudin's mother was reared in Ventress
, also in Pointe Coupee Parish.
Gaudin, who is of French extraction and Roman Catholic, graduated from the parochial St. Joseph's Academy in New Roads in 1948. Another well-known graduate of St. Joseph's is former Congresswoman Lindy Boggs
, a Democrat from New Orleans. He then received his bachelor's degree
from Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge in 1952. He entered the United States Army
Artillery as a second lieutenant
on an ROTC commission in 1952. He left the service in 1954 as a first lieutenant
but remained a major
in the Army Reserve
for another decade thereafter.
Gaudin graduated from the Louisiana State University Law Center with a Juris Doctor
degree in 1958. In his civil law practice, he specializes in collections, successions
, wills
, and real estate
foreclosure
s. Gaudin's son, Todd E. Gaudin, is also a Baton Rouge lawyer—in the firm Kuehne, Foote, & Gaudin.
Gaudin's first wife, the former Marianne Hurst, died in 1992. He married the former Shirley Armetta in 1994. He has two daughters from the first marriage, Allison Maria Asby of Baton Rouge and Dana Angelle Gaudin of Asheville
, North Carolina
.
. He defeated Democrat Richard E. Cheek, 9,856 votes (50.3 percent) to 9,730 (49.7 percent) in a special election for the one-year unexpired term. In his first year in the legislature, Gaudin served with three other Republicans, Morley A. Hudson
and Taylor W. O'Hearn
of Shreveport and Roderick Miller
of Lafayette
, all of whom are deceased. Gaudin was defeated for a four-year term in 1968. So was O'Hearn. Hudson did not seek reelection, and Miller lost in a bid for the Louisiana state Senate. Gaudin rebounded in 1972 to win the first of five consecutive terms.
In 1972, Gaudin benefited from the presence of Republican gubernatorial candidate David C. Treen
, a Baton Rouge native then residing in Jefferson Parish. He unseated the Democrat Lillian W. Walker
, 6,949 (51 percent) to 6,645 (49 percent). Thereafter, Gaudin won comparatively easy victories to hold his seat. When Gaudin was reelected in the 1975 jungle primary
, he had only four incoming Republican colleagues, and one of those, A.J. McNamara of Jefferson Parish, had been elected as a Democrat but switched affiliation in 1977.
In his last election for the District 69 seat, which then encompassed the Jefferson Street area and Tara subdivision, in 1987, Gaudin polled 48 percent in the primary and was forced into a general election
(often called the "runoff" in Louisiana) with the Democrat Marilyn Barfield. He then won by a comfortable margin, 7,370 (58 percent) to 5,441 (42 percent). He did not run again in the 1991 primary, but his seat remained in Republican hands with the general election victory of Francis Charles "Chuck" McMains
, who later left the legislature and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in the 1996 jungle primary. District 69 was dismembered by the legislature after Gaudin announced that he would not seek reelection, and part of the base now lies in District 68.
in his 1967-1968 term. By 1976, after his reelection, the legislature passed right-to-work. Louisiana was the last traditional southern state to adopt such legislation. In gaining passage, he worked with Representative Bruce Lynn
, a fellow Republican and a banker from Caddo Parish. Lynn was elected to succeed another right-to-work supporter, Democrat (later Republican) James H. "Jimmy" Wilson of Vivian
, also in Caddo Parish.
Gaudin also worked to eliminate the Louisiana Milk Commission, which lawmakers eventually concluded kept milk prices in the state artificially high and forbade out-of-state companies from selling within Louisiana.
Gaudin retained an interest in Republican politics after he left the legislature. He was a delegate to the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego
, which nominated the ticket of Robert J. Dole and Jack French Kemp
. The Dole-Kemp combination, however, lost Louisiana's nine electoral votes in the fall campaign.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
who served for twenty-one years in the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana House of Representatives
The Louisiana House of Representatives is the lower house in the Louisiana State Legislature, the state legislature of the US state of Louisiana. The House is composed of 105 Representatives, each of whom represents approximately 42,500 people . Members serve four-year terms with a term limit of...
(1967–1968; 1972–1992) as the first Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member from East Baton Rouge Parish in the 20th century.
Early years, education, family
Gaudin was born in New RoadsNew Roads, Louisiana
New Roads is a city in and the parish seat of Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, United States. The center of population of Louisiana is located in New Roads . The population was 4,996 at the 2000 census. The city's ZIP code is 70760...
in Pointe Coupee Parish to Mr. and Mrs. Alton F. Gaudin. His father (1904–1999) was in the ice business and once hired young deLesseps Story Morrison, Sr., to work in the summer. Morrison went on to become mayor of New Orleans, ambassador to the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
, and a three-time Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
gubernatorial contender. Gaudin's mother was reared in Ventress
Ventress, Louisiana
Ventress is an unincorporated village located in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana along the northeastern end of False River . The population of the area is approximately 1,100 individuals. It is home to the Hunter Fabre Post 248 American Legion Hall on Legion Road...
, also in Pointe Coupee Parish.
Gaudin, who is of French extraction and Roman Catholic, graduated from the parochial St. Joseph's Academy in New Roads in 1948. Another well-known graduate of St. Joseph's is former Congresswoman Lindy Boggs
Lindy Boggs
Marie Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs, usually known as Lindy Boggs , is a United States political figure who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and later as ambassador to the Vatican. She was the first woman elected to Congress from Louisiana...
, a Democrat from New Orleans. He then received his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in Baton Rouge in 1952. He entered the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Artillery as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
on an ROTC commission in 1952. He left the service in 1954 as a first lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
but remained a major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
in the Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
for another decade thereafter.
Gaudin graduated from the Louisiana State University Law Center with a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree in 1958. In his civil law practice, he specializes in collections, successions
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, rights and obligations upon the death of an individual. It has long played an important role in human societies...
, wills
Will (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
, and real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
foreclosure
Foreclosure
Foreclosure is the legal process by which a mortgage lender , or other lien holder, obtains a termination of a mortgage borrower 's equitable right of redemption, either by court order or by operation of law...
s. Gaudin's son, Todd E. Gaudin, is also a Baton Rouge lawyer—in the firm Kuehne, Foote, & Gaudin.
Gaudin's first wife, the former Marianne Hurst, died in 1992. He married the former Shirley Armetta in 1994. He has two daughters from the first marriage, Allison Maria Asby of Baton Rouge and Dana Angelle Gaudin of Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Gaudin wins six legislative elections
Gaudin won a 1967 special election created by the resignation of Democratic lawmaker Luther F. Cole, who became a judgeJudge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
. He defeated Democrat Richard E. Cheek, 9,856 votes (50.3 percent) to 9,730 (49.7 percent) in a special election for the one-year unexpired term. In his first year in the legislature, Gaudin served with three other Republicans, Morley A. Hudson
Morley A. Hudson
Morley Alvin Hudson , was a Shreveport businessman, engineer, civic leader, and a pioneer of the modern Republican Party in Louisiana.Hudson was born in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Oscar Hudson and the former Ruth Morley...
and Taylor W. O'Hearn
Taylor W. O'Hearn
Taylor Walters O'Hearn was a pioneer in the rebirth of the Republican Party in Louisiana during the mid-twentieth century. He and Morley A. Hudson, both of Shreveport in Caddo Parish, were the first two Republicans elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives since Reconstruction. The pair...
of Shreveport and Roderick Miller
Roderick Miller
Roderick Luke "Rod" Miller was a Lafayette attorney and a pioneer in the development of the Republican Party in Louisiana. He was the third Republican since Reconstruction to be elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and the first ever from Lafayette Parish, now one of the stronger...
of Lafayette
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
, all of whom are deceased. Gaudin was defeated for a four-year term in 1968. So was O'Hearn. Hudson did not seek reelection, and Miller lost in a bid for the Louisiana state Senate. Gaudin rebounded in 1972 to win the first of five consecutive terms.
In 1972, Gaudin benefited from the presence of Republican gubernatorial candidate David C. Treen
David C. Treen
David Conner "Dave" Treen, Sr. , was an American attorney and politician from Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana – the first Republican Governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana since Reconstruction. He was the first Republican in modern times to have served in the U.S...
, a Baton Rouge native then residing in Jefferson Parish. He unseated the Democrat Lillian W. Walker
Lillian Walker (Louisiana politician)
Lillian W. Walker is a former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, having served from 1964–1972, corresponding with the administration of Governor John J. McKeithen, her fellow Democrat....
, 6,949 (51 percent) to 6,645 (49 percent). Thereafter, Gaudin won comparatively easy victories to hold his seat. When Gaudin was reelected in the 1975 jungle primary
Jungle primary
A nonpartisan blanket primary is a primary election in which all candidates for elected office run in the same primary regardless of political party. Under this system, the top two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the next round, as in a runoff election...
, he had only four incoming Republican colleagues, and one of those, A.J. McNamara of Jefferson Parish, had been elected as a Democrat but switched affiliation in 1977.
In his last election for the District 69 seat, which then encompassed the Jefferson Street area and Tara subdivision, in 1987, Gaudin polled 48 percent in the primary and was forced into a general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
(often called the "runoff" in Louisiana) with the Democrat Marilyn Barfield. He then won by a comfortable margin, 7,370 (58 percent) to 5,441 (42 percent). He did not run again in the 1991 primary, but his seat remained in Republican hands with the general election victory of Francis Charles "Chuck" McMains
Chuck McMains
Francis Charles "Chuck" McMains, Jr. , is a Baton Rouge attorney and businessman who was a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1992–2001, having represented District 69 . In 1996, McMains made an unsuccessful race for the United States Senate seat being vacated by...
, who later left the legislature and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in the 1996 jungle primary. District 69 was dismembered by the legislature after Gaudin announced that he would not seek reelection, and part of the base now lies in District 68.
Medical marijuana bill
In his last legislative session, Gaudin attempted to revive Louisiana's medical marijuana law.Right-to-work legislation
Gaudin was among a virtual handful of Louisiana legislators who supported a state right-to-work lawRight-to-work law
Right-to-work laws are statutes enforced in twenty-two U.S. states, mostly in the southern or western U.S., allowed under provisions of the federal Taft–Hartley Act, which prohibit agreements between labor unions and employers that make membership, payment of union dues, or fees a condition of...
in his 1967-1968 term. By 1976, after his reelection, the legislature passed right-to-work. Louisiana was the last traditional southern state to adopt such legislation. In gaining passage, he worked with Representative Bruce Lynn
Bruce Lynn
Bruce Newton Lynn, I, is a retired north Caddo Parish businessman and banker who was a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1976–1988. He is a native and resident of the village of Gilliam , where three generations of his family have operated the J.W...
, a fellow Republican and a banker from Caddo Parish. Lynn was elected to succeed another right-to-work supporter, Democrat (later Republican) James H. "Jimmy" Wilson of Vivian
Vivian, Louisiana
Vivian, is a town in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States and is home to the Red Bud Festival. The population was 4,031 at the 2000 census...
, also in Caddo Parish.
Gaudin also worked to eliminate the Louisiana Milk Commission, which lawmakers eventually concluded kept milk prices in the state artificially high and forbade out-of-state companies from selling within Louisiana.
Gaudin retained an interest in Republican politics after he left the legislature. He was a delegate to the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, which nominated the ticket of Robert J. Dole and Jack French Kemp
Jack Kemp
Jack French Kemp was an American politician and a collegiate and professional football player. A Republican, he served as Housing Secretary in the administration of President George H. W. Bush from 1989 to 1993, having previously served nine terms as a congressman for Western New York's 31st...
. The Dole-Kemp combination, however, lost Louisiana's nine electoral votes in the fall campaign.