Joseph F. Toomy
Encyclopedia
Joseph Francis Toomy, known as Joe Toomy (born May 4, 1948), is a self-employed insurance
broker from Gretna
, the seat of Jeffersons Parish
, Louisiana
, who served as the District 85 member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from 1984 until term-limited in 2008. Toomy was a Democrat
from 1984–1990, when he switched to Republican
registration. Thereafter, he was elected in the nonpartisan blanket primaries of 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2003 on the GOP
label. Prior to his legislative career, Toomy was a Democratic member of the Jefferson Parish School Board from 1974–1983 and the Louisiana Constitutional Convention, a year-long nonpartisan
position, in 1973. There he served with future Governor Buddy Roemer
and later Insurance Commissioner James H. "Jim" Brown. In March 2009, Governor Bobby Jindal
appointed Toomy to the board of the New Orleans Port Authority.
Toomy, a Roman Catholic, was born to Francis X. Toomy (1914–1989), formerly of New Jersey
, and Dorothy N. Toomy (born ca.1920) of Gretna. He graduated in 1966 from Archbishop Shaw High School
in Marrero
in Jefferson Parish. Thereafter, he received B.A.
and M.B.A. degrees from Tulane University
in New Orleans
. He was a Tulane administrator from 1976–1981 and was also a private tax consultant. He was named "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" in 1977 by the Jaycees
. Toomy is married to the former Jo Ann Fisk (born September 7, 1943).
Representative Toomy was named "Legislator of the Year" in 1991 and 1995 by the interest group, the Alliance for Good Government. In 1987, he was honored as "Boss of the Year" by the Westbank Business and Professional Women
. Active in the community, he is a former vice president of the Gretna Senior Citizen Management Board. He is affiliated with the David Crockett Volunteer Fire Company and is a past president of the Friends of the Louisiana State Fire Museum. He is a member of the Gretna Historical Society and the Archbishop Shaw High School trustees. Toomy sits on the board of New Orleans Catholic Charities.
In 1987, Toomy won his second legislative term, 5,539 votes (52.3 percent) to 5,057 (47.7 percent) for fellow Democrat Olden Toups. In 1991, Toomy in his first run as a Republican defeated fellow Republican challenger, Lynn R. Cheramie, 6,966 (62.2 percent) to 4,232 (37.8 percent). In 1995, Toomy defeated fellow Republican Don James, 7,591 (73.3 percent) to 2,763 (26.7 percent). In 1999 and 2003, Toomy was unopposed for reelection.
In 2008, Toomy was a maximum contributor to the Republican presidential nominee U.S. Senator John McCain
of Arizona
. He also donated in 2008 to the 2010 reelection campaign of Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter
.
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
broker from Gretna
Gretna, Louisiana
The city of Gretna is the parish seat of Jefferson Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. Gretna is on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just east and across the river from uptown New Orleans. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, the seat of Jeffersons Parish
Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Jefferson Parish is a parish in Louisiana, United States that includes most of the suburbs of New Orleans. The seat of parish government is Gretna....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, who served as the District 85 member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from 1984 until term-limited in 2008. Toomy was a Democrat
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...
from 1984–1990, when he switched to 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...
registration. Thereafter, he was elected in the nonpartisan blanket primaries of 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2003 on the GOP
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...
label. Prior to his legislative career, Toomy was a Democratic member of the Jefferson Parish School Board from 1974–1983 and the Louisiana Constitutional Convention, a year-long nonpartisan
Nonpartisan
In political science, nonpartisan denotes an election, event, organization or person in which there is no formally declared association with a political party affiliation....
position, in 1973. There he served with future Governor Buddy Roemer
Buddy Roemer
Charles Elson "Buddy" Roemer III is an American politician who served as the 52nd Governor of Louisiana, from 1988 to 1992. He was elected as a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party on March 11, 1991...
and later Insurance Commissioner James H. "Jim" Brown. In March 2009, Governor Bobby Jindal
Bobby Jindal
Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is the 55th and current Governor of Louisiana and formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party....
appointed Toomy to the board of the New Orleans Port Authority.
Toomy, a Roman Catholic, was born to Francis X. Toomy (1914–1989), formerly of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, and Dorothy N. Toomy (born ca.1920) of Gretna. He graduated in 1966 from Archbishop Shaw High School
Archbishop Shaw High School
Archbishop Shaw High School is an Archdiocesan school administered under the Salesians of St. John Bosco. It is approved by the Louisiana State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. Founded in 1962, it is located in Marrero, Louisiana...
in Marrero
Marrero, Louisiana
Marrero is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. Marrero is on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, within the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in Jefferson Parish. Thereafter, he received B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and M.B.A. degrees from Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. He was a Tulane administrator from 1976–1981 and was also a private tax consultant. He was named "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" in 1977 by the Jaycees
Junior Chamber International
Junior Chamber International is the only worldwide non-political and non-sectarian youth service organization. It is an international community of citizens between the ages of to with the aim and purpose of creating positive changes in the world...
. Toomy is married to the former Jo Ann Fisk (born September 7, 1943).
Representative Toomy was named "Legislator of the Year" in 1991 and 1995 by the interest group, the Alliance for Good Government. In 1987, he was honored as "Boss of the Year" by the Westbank Business and Professional Women
Business and Professional Women
Business and Professional Women's Foundation Business and Professional Women’s Foundation is an organization focused on creating successful workplaces by focusing on issues that impact women, families and employers. Successful Workplaces are those that embrace and practice diversity, equity and...
. Active in the community, he is a former vice president of the Gretna Senior Citizen Management Board. He is affiliated with the David Crockett Volunteer Fire Company and is a past president of the Friends of the Louisiana State Fire Museum. He is a member of the Gretna Historical Society and the Archbishop Shaw High School trustees. Toomy sits on the board of New Orleans Catholic Charities.
In 1987, Toomy won his second legislative term, 5,539 votes (52.3 percent) to 5,057 (47.7 percent) for fellow Democrat Olden Toups. In 1991, Toomy in his first run as a Republican defeated fellow Republican challenger, Lynn R. Cheramie, 6,966 (62.2 percent) to 4,232 (37.8 percent). In 1995, Toomy defeated fellow Republican Don James, 7,591 (73.3 percent) to 2,763 (26.7 percent). In 1999 and 2003, Toomy was unopposed for reelection.
In 2008, Toomy was a maximum contributor to the Republican presidential nominee U.S. Senator John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. He also donated in 2008 to the 2010 reelection campaign of Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter
David Vitter
David Vitter is the junior United States Senator from Louisiana and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served in the United States House of Representatives, representing the suburban Louisiana's 1st congressional district. He served as a member of the Louisiana House of...
.