Michael J. Michot
Encyclopedia
Michael John "Mike" Michot (born December 12, 1963) is the departing senior Republican
member of the Louisiana State Senate
, having represented District 23 (Lafayette Parish) since the year 2000. He is the outgoing hairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Michot was unopposed for his third Senate term in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 20, 2007. Previously, he served in District 43 in the Louisiana House of Representatives
from 1996 to 2000. Michot was elected as a Democrat
to the House but switched parties on June 23, 1997, not quite midway in his term. He is the son of the semiretired businessman and former state Education
Superintendent
Louis J. Michot
of Lafayette
.
Michot considered running in the 2006 special election for Louisiana secretary of state but never filed his candidacy papers. The position went instead to his state Senate colleague Jay Dardenne
of Baton Rouge, who in 2010 was elected lieutenant governor in another special election.
Michot won his House seat in the 1995 primary with 69 percent of the vote. He defeated both a Republican and a "No Party" challenger. In his first race as a Republican, Representative Michot unseated incumbent
State Senator J. Lomax "Max" Jordan
, a fellow Republican, 68-32 percent. Michot was reelected to the Senate in the 2003 primary with 88 percent of the vote over fellow Republican Herman L. Vidrine.
He was the vice chairman of the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs Committee. He also chaired the Senate Select Committee on Consumer Affairs and Technology. In the latter capacity, Michot in 2004 piloted the "Share Your Opinions" program to permit citizens to log on to the Internet
and "vote" on important public policy. Michot said that in the technologically-driven world, it is "important to use every available tool when it comes to aiding the public in their interaction with their legislators."
Michot was born to Louis Michot (born 1922) and the former Patricia Ann Smith (1926–2011), a week after his father, then a state representative, ran unsuccessfully for governor in the 1963 Democratic primary. The two leading candidates who emerged from the primary were former New Orleans Mayor
deLesseps Story Morrison and the winner of the runoff primary, John J. McKeithen
of tiny Columbia
in north Louisiana. Louis Michot rebounded to served on the elected State Board of Education and as state education superintendent (1972–1976), having ousted the legendary William J. "Bill" Dodd in the 1971 primary. Louis and Patricia Michot had ten children, eight of whom were still living at the time of their mother's death.
Mike Michot graduated from the Roman Catholic Cathedral-Carmel High School
in Lafayette. He then received a bachelor of science
degree in finance
from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
(then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana). At ULL, Michot was a fraternity
brother of current State Representative Page Cortez
, a Lafayette Republican who defeated Patrick LeBlanc
in the 2007 House primary. A real estate
developer, Micot is president of both Louis J. Michot & Associates and the Premier Medical Equipment Company. He cofounded the interest group known as Citizens for Accountable Government.
He is vice president of both the Broussard Industrial Development Board and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana. He is a past chairman of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
Business Development Committee. He is past president of Acadiana Handicap Services, Inc. He is a member of the Cathedral-Carmel Foundation, the Lafayette Kiwanis Club, and the ULM Legislative Relations Committee.
Michot is married to the former Monique Broussard (born ca. 1966). His brother, Patrick Louis "Rick" Michot (born 1948), is a state court judge
for the Fifteenth District in Lafayette and also a Republican convert. Mike and Rick Michot are members of "Les Freres Michot", a popular Lafayette-based Cajun
music
band.
Michot is now term-limited in the state Senate. He held a major fundraiser at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Baton Rouge for March 27, 2008, three days before the regular legislative session began, during which period the solicitation of campaign monies is forbidden by state law. Sponsorship at the fundraiser required $5,000. Host committee participation was $2,500, and regular tickets were $500.
Michot angered many of his constituents on June 10, 2008 by voting 'yea' on SB 672, which, had Governor Bobby Jindal
not vetoed, would have tripled Louisiana legislators' pay, making them the 8th highest paid legislators in the country.
Michot will be succeeded in the Senate in January 2012 by his friend, State Representative Page Cortez
, who is unopposed for the position in the October 22 primary. Cortez's House seat will be filled by Lafayette businessman Stuart Bishop
, who is also unopposed for the position.
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 of the Louisiana State Senate
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...
, having represented District 23 (Lafayette Parish) since the year 2000. He is the outgoing hairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Michot was unopposed for his third Senate term in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 20, 2007. Previously, he served in District 43 in 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 1996 to 2000. Michot was elected as 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...
to the House but switched parties on June 23, 1997, not quite midway in his term. He is the son of the semiretired businessman and former state Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
Superintendent
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
Louis J. Michot
Louis J. Michot
Louis Joseph Michot, Jr. , is a prominent Lafayette, Louisiana, businessman, entrepreneur of the former Burger Chef restaurant chain, philanthropist, and a former Democratic state representative , member of the Louisiana Board of Education , and Louisiana State Education Superintendent...
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...
.
Michot considered running in the 2006 special election for Louisiana secretary of state but never filed his candidacy papers. The position went instead to his state Senate colleague Jay Dardenne
Jay Dardenne
John Leigh "Jay" Dardenne, Jr. , has been Louisiana's Republican lieutenant governor since November 22, 2010. He won a special election to the position held in conjunction with the regular November 2 general election. At the time, Dardenne was Louisiana secretary of state...
of Baton Rouge, who in 2010 was elected lieutenant governor in another special election.
Michot won his House seat in the 1995 primary with 69 percent of the vote. He defeated both a Republican and a "No Party" challenger. In his first race as a Republican, Representative Michot unseated incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
State Senator J. Lomax "Max" Jordan
J. Lomax Jordan
J. Lomax Jordan, Jr., known as Max Jordan , is a Lafayette attorney who was a Republican member of the Louisiana State Senate from 1992–2000...
, a fellow Republican, 68-32 percent. Michot was reelected to the Senate in the 2003 primary with 88 percent of the vote over fellow Republican Herman L. Vidrine.
He was the vice chairman of the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs Committee. He also chaired the Senate Select Committee on Consumer Affairs and Technology. In the latter capacity, Michot in 2004 piloted the "Share Your Opinions" program to permit citizens to log on to the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
and "vote" on important public policy. Michot said that in the technologically-driven world, it is "important to use every available tool when it comes to aiding the public in their interaction with their legislators."
Michot was born to Louis Michot (born 1922) and the former Patricia Ann Smith (1926–2011), a week after his father, then a state representative, ran unsuccessfully for governor in the 1963 Democratic primary. The two leading candidates who emerged from the primary were former New Orleans Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
deLesseps Story Morrison and the winner of the runoff primary, John J. McKeithen
John McKeithen
John Julian McKeithen was the 49th Governor of Louisiana, serving from 1964 to 1972. A Democrat from the town of Columbia, he was the first governor of his state in the twentieth century to serve two consecutive terms...
of tiny Columbia
Columbia, Louisiana
Columbia is a town in and the parish seat of Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 477 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Columbia is located at ....
in north Louisiana. Louis Michot rebounded to served on the elected State Board of Education and as state education superintendent (1972–1976), having ousted the legendary William J. "Bill" Dodd in the 1971 primary. Louis and Patricia Michot had ten children, eight of whom were still living at the time of their mother's death.
Mike Michot graduated from the Roman Catholic Cathedral-Carmel High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Lafayette. He then received a bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in finance
Finance
"Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created...
from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or UL Lafayette, is a coeducational, public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the heart of Acadiana...
(then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana). At ULL, Michot was a fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
brother of current State Representative Page Cortez
Page Cortez
Patrick Page Cortez, known as Page Cortez , is a Lafayette, Louisiana, businessman and a departing one-term Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives...
, a Lafayette Republican who defeated Patrick LeBlanc
Patrick LeBlanc
Patrick Lynn LeBlanc, Sr., usually known as Pat LeBlanc , was a prominent Lafayette, Louisiana, architect and businessman who was also active in Republican politics. LeBlanc and his pilot perished when their single-engine airplane crashed over northern Vermilion Parish...
in the 2007 House primary. A 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...
developer, Micot is president of both Louis J. Michot & Associates and the Premier Medical Equipment Company. He cofounded the interest group known as Citizens for Accountable Government.
He is vice president of both the Broussard Industrial Development Board and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana. He is a past chairman of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
Business Development Committee. He is past president of Acadiana Handicap Services, Inc. He is a member of the Cathedral-Carmel Foundation, the Lafayette Kiwanis Club, and the ULM Legislative Relations Committee.
Michot is married to the former Monique Broussard (born ca. 1966). His brother, Patrick Louis "Rick" Michot (born 1948), is a state court judge
Judge
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...
for the Fifteenth District in Lafayette and also a Republican convert. Mike and Rick Michot are members of "Les Freres Michot", a popular Lafayette-based Cajun
Cajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
band.
Michot is now term-limited in the state Senate. He held a major fundraiser at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Baton Rouge for March 27, 2008, three days before the regular legislative session began, during which period the solicitation of campaign monies is forbidden by state law. Sponsorship at the fundraiser required $5,000. Host committee participation was $2,500, and regular tickets were $500.
Michot angered many of his constituents on June 10, 2008 by voting 'yea' on SB 672, which, had 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....
not vetoed, would have tripled Louisiana legislators' pay, making them the 8th highest paid legislators in the country.
Michot will be succeeded in the Senate in January 2012 by his friend, State Representative Page Cortez
Page Cortez
Patrick Page Cortez, known as Page Cortez , is a Lafayette, Louisiana, businessman and a departing one-term Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives...
, who is unopposed for the position in the October 22 primary. Cortez's House seat will be filled by Lafayette businessman Stuart Bishop
Stuart Bishop
Stuart James Bishop is a businessman in Lafayette, Louisiana, who is an incoming Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He will assume the District 43 seat in January 2012, when the incumbent, his fellow Republican Page Cortez of Lafayette, instead becomes the District 23...
, who is also unopposed for the position.