Stephen J. Windhorst
Encyclopedia
Stephen Joseph Windhorst, known as Steve Windhorst (born February 12, 1957), is a state judge
of the 24th Judicial District Court in suburban New Orleans
, Louisiana
, who served as a Republican
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from Jefferson
and Orleans parishes from 1992 to 2000. His father, Fritz Windhorst
of Algiers
, Louisiana, served as a Republican in the Louisiana State Senate
from Orleans and Jefferson parishes from 1972-1992.
Windhorst graduated from Archbishop Shaw High School
in Marrero
in Jefferson Parish, where he was a three-year letterman in football and tennis. He received his Bachelor of Arts
and Juris Doctor
degrees from Tulane University
in New Orleans. A P.O.S.T. certified police officer, Windhorst completed the Gretna Police Training Academy. He was a reserve police officer from 1985–1988 and an assistant district attorney and criminal prosecutor from 1982-1989.
In the nonpartisan blanket primary, also known as the jungle primary, held on November 16, 1991, Windhorst upset and unseated fellow Republican Representative Terry W. Gee
, who had served since 1980, beginning with the gubernatorial term of Governor David C. Treen
, then of Jefferson Parish. In the primary balloting on October 19, Gee led the balloting with 45 percent, compared to 37 percent for Windhorst. The remaining 18 percent was cast for the lone Democrat in the race, Cynthia Davidson. In the November 16 general election
, Windhorst was the big winner with 61 percent to Gee's 39 percent.
Windhorst was unopposed for re-election to the legislature in 1995 and 1999. In 1996, he lost a bid for state judge to a longtime friend, Democrat Henry G. Sullivan, Jr., in Division M. Windhorst later said that he should have waited to run for judge because he really preferred to have remained longer as a legislator. Four years later, on October 7, 2000 Windhorst was elected judge of Division J of the 24th Judicial District Court. In the heated parishwide judicial race for the seat vacated by the death of incumbent Judge Sheldon Fernandez, Windhorst defeated the well-financed campaign of Democrat George P. "Pat" Hand, 56 percent to 44 percent, despite Hand's early start in the race and his support by Sheriff Harry Lee of Jefferson Parish Windhorst was supported by Gretna Police Chief B. H. Miller, Jr. Most political observers considered this another upset victory by Windhorst. This Pat Hand should not be confused with former Judge Kernan "Skip" Hand
, a Republican from Jefferson Parish and also a former legislator. Early in 2001, Windhorst's House seat went to another Republican, James Wayne "Jim" Tucker
, who ran with Windhorst's unstated public support. In 2008, Tucker became Speaker
of the state House.
Judge Steve Windhorst was re-elected to the bench twice without opposition in 2002 and 2008.
Windhorst also gained respect for his ability to handle a broad spectrum of complicated legislation. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
recognized his ability to lead tough floor fights and debate. Although LABI had supported Windhorst's opponent, Representative Terry Gee in 1991, it soon aligned with Windhorst for his business-friendly positions. LABI then supported Windhorst in the 1995 and 1999 elections when he ran unopposed.
Louisiana Welfare Reform Act of 1995
Despite major opposition by the administration and legislative leaders of Democratic Governor Edwin W. Edwards, Windhorst authored and obtained passage of the Louisiana Welfare Reform Act of 1995, which trimmed welfare benefits and attempted to eliminate additional benefits for the births of additional children while on Aid to Families with Dependent Children
(AFDC). According to Windhorst, the act was also necessary pave the way for Louisiana to implement the anticipated federal welfare reform by the Republican Congress during the Clinton administration later, known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
House Leadership Role
In January 1996 at the beginning of his second term and the first of Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
, House Speaker Hunt Downer
, a Democrat-turned-Republican from Houma
, appointed Windhorst chairman of the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, through which all bills dealing with criminal law and gambling legislation must pass before moving to the full House of Representatives. Windhorst had been strongly opposed by some gambling interests, particularly Harrah's New Orleans Casino, but he was supported for the position by many sheriffs and district attorneys. Windhorst authored and claimed to have personally written all of the Foster administration's gambling reform legislation, which included public referenda and local options for parishes on all existing and future gambling.
Anti-Tax
Windhorst was a staunch fiscal conservative in the House, having refused to vote for any tax or general operating budget, contending that Louisiana was already spending twice what it needed. Government watchdog and critic C. B. Forgotston listed on his website Forgotston.com the votes of all legislators on tax issues, and showed that Windhorst was the only state legislator over a period of over two decades who never once voted for a new tax, a tax increase, or the extension of any existing tax.
According to the Baton Rouge Business Report, Windhorst was known for a quick and sometimes sarcastic wit during legislative debate on the floor of the House. Once while under attack by an opponent, Rep. David Armstrong, a New Orleans Democrat, who implied that Armstrong might soon be elected to the Senate and kill Windhorst's bills there, Windhorst retorted, "Well, if you do go to the Senate, the quality of debate will dramatically improve in both chambers."
in the Algiers
section of New Orleans. Windhorst is also a member of the Archbishop Shaw High School development bosard.
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...
of the 24th Judicial District Court in suburban 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...
, 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 a 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 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 Jefferson
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....
and Orleans parishes from 1992 to 2000. His father, Fritz Windhorst
Fritz Windhorst
Fritz Heinrich Windhorst is a Gretna, Louisiana, attorney who served from 1972 to 1992 as a member of the Louisiana State Senate from Jefferson and Orleans parishes, originally District 8, and later District 7. Windhorst was a conservative Democrat from 1972 to 1985, when he switched to...
of Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
, Louisiana, served as a Republican in 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...
from Orleans and Jefferson parishes from 1972-1992.
Windhorst graduated 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, where he was a three-year letterman in football and tennis. He received his Bachelor of Arts
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 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...
degrees from Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
in New Orleans. A P.O.S.T. certified police officer, Windhorst completed the Gretna Police Training Academy. He was a reserve police officer from 1985–1988 and an assistant district attorney and criminal prosecutor from 1982-1989.
In the nonpartisan blanket primary, also known as the jungle primary, held on November 16, 1991, Windhorst upset and unseated fellow Republican Representative Terry W. Gee
Terry W. Gee
Terry Wayne Gee, Sr. , is an officer of Ecoloclean Industries, Inc., who formerly served three four-year terms as a Republican member of the Louisiana state House of Representatives. Gee represented parts of Jefferson and Orleans parishes from 1980 until he was defeated for a fourth term, effective...
, who had served since 1980, beginning with the gubernatorial term of Governor 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...
, then of Jefferson Parish. In the primary balloting on October 19, Gee led the balloting with 45 percent, compared to 37 percent for Windhorst. The remaining 18 percent was cast for the lone Democrat in the race, Cynthia Davidson. In the November 16 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...
, Windhorst was the big winner with 61 percent to Gee's 39 percent.
Windhorst was unopposed for re-election to the legislature in 1995 and 1999. In 1996, he lost a bid for state judge to a longtime friend, Democrat Henry G. Sullivan, Jr., in Division M. Windhorst later said that he should have waited to run for judge because he really preferred to have remained longer as a legislator. Four years later, on October 7, 2000 Windhorst was elected judge of Division J of the 24th Judicial District Court. In the heated parishwide judicial race for the seat vacated by the death of incumbent Judge Sheldon Fernandez, Windhorst defeated the well-financed campaign of Democrat George P. "Pat" Hand, 56 percent to 44 percent, despite Hand's early start in the race and his support by Sheriff Harry Lee of Jefferson Parish Windhorst was supported by Gretna Police Chief B. H. Miller, Jr. Most political observers considered this another upset victory by Windhorst. This Pat Hand should not be confused with former Judge Kernan "Skip" Hand
Kernan "Skip" Hand
Kernan August Hand, Sr., known as Kernan "Skip" Hand , is a retired state court judge of the 24th Judicial District from Kenner in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. A Republican, Hand served in the "Division H" judgeship from the spring of 1994 until his retirement on December 31, 2008...
, a Republican from Jefferson Parish and also a former legislator. Early in 2001, Windhorst's House seat went to another Republican, James Wayne "Jim" Tucker
Jim Tucker (Louisiana politician)
James Wayne Tucker, known as Jim Tucker , is the departing Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, and an ally of Governor Bobby Jindal. An investment banker from the Terrytown section of the New Orleans metropolitan area, Tucker's District 86 includes precincts from both Jefferson and...
, who ran with Windhorst's unstated public support. In 2008, Tucker became Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
of the state House.
Judge Steve Windhorst was re-elected to the bench twice without opposition in 2002 and 2008.
Legislative career
Drawing on his extensive experience as a criminal prosecutor and police training and experience, Windhorst became a leader in anti-crime and law enforcement legislation. In 1993, his second year in the House, he become a key floor leader for the Louisiana District Attorneys Association and the Louisiana Sheriffs Association, having handled many complicated law- enforcement bills. He pushed to fruition laws which permit violent or repeat juvenile offenders to be treated as adults at the ages of 15 and 16, and in limited cases, at 14 years of age.Windhorst also gained respect for his ability to handle a broad spectrum of complicated legislation. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, known by the acronym LABI, is the largest and most successful business lobbying group in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It was founded in Baton Rouge in 1976, when Louisiana adopted a new right-to-work law during the administration of Democratic...
recognized his ability to lead tough floor fights and debate. Although LABI had supported Windhorst's opponent, Representative Terry Gee in 1991, it soon aligned with Windhorst for his business-friendly positions. LABI then supported Windhorst in the 1995 and 1999 elections when he ran unopposed.
Louisiana Welfare Reform Act of 1995
Despite major opposition by the administration and legislative leaders of Democratic Governor Edwin W. Edwards, Windhorst authored and obtained passage of the Louisiana Welfare Reform Act of 1995, which trimmed welfare benefits and attempted to eliminate additional benefits for the births of additional children while on Aid to Families with Dependent Children
Aid to Families with Dependent Children
Aid to Families with Dependent Children was a federal assistance program in effect from 1935 to 1996, which was administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services...
(AFDC). According to Windhorst, the act was also necessary pave the way for Louisiana to implement the anticipated federal welfare reform by the Republican Congress during the Clinton administration later, known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
House Leadership Role
In January 1996 at the beginning of his second term and the first of Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
Murphy J. Foster, Jr.
Murphy James "Mike" Foster, Jr. served as 53rd Governor of Louisiana from January 1996 until January 2004. Foster's father was Murphy J. Foster, Jr., but Mike Foster uses "Jr." even though he is technically Murphy J. Foster, III. Foster is a businessman, landowner, and sportsman in St...
, House Speaker Hunt Downer
Hunt Downer
Major General Huntington Blair Downer, Jr., known as Hunt Downer , is a Republican politician in the U.S. state of Louisiana who is the assistant adjutant general of the state National Guard and the first ever director of the new Louisiana Veterans Affairs Department.A former Speaker of the...
, a Democrat-turned-Republican from Houma
Houma, Louisiana
Houma is a city in and the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, and the largest principal city of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's powers of government have been absorbed by the parish, which is now run by the Terrebonne Parish...
, appointed Windhorst chairman of the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, through which all bills dealing with criminal law and gambling legislation must pass before moving to the full House of Representatives. Windhorst had been strongly opposed by some gambling interests, particularly Harrah's New Orleans Casino, but he was supported for the position by many sheriffs and district attorneys. Windhorst authored and claimed to have personally written all of the Foster administration's gambling reform legislation, which included public referenda and local options for parishes on all existing and future gambling.
Anti-Tax
Windhorst was a staunch fiscal conservative in the House, having refused to vote for any tax or general operating budget, contending that Louisiana was already spending twice what it needed. Government watchdog and critic C. B. Forgotston listed on his website Forgotston.com the votes of all legislators on tax issues, and showed that Windhorst was the only state legislator over a period of over two decades who never once voted for a new tax, a tax increase, or the extension of any existing tax.
According to the Baton Rouge Business Report, Windhorst was known for a quick and sometimes sarcastic wit during legislative debate on the floor of the House. Once while under attack by an opponent, Rep. David Armstrong, a New Orleans Democrat, who implied that Armstrong might soon be elected to the Senate and kill Windhorst's bills there, Windhorst retorted, "Well, if you do go to the Senate, the quality of debate will dramatically improve in both chambers."
Awards & Memberships
In 1993, Windhorst was named “Legislator of the Year” by both Victims and Citizens Against Crime and the Alliance for Good Government. In 1995, Windhorst was again named “Legislator of the Year” by the Alliance for Good Government. In 2000, Windhorst was given the first and only "Craig L'Antigua Legislator of the Decade Memorial Award" by Victim and Citizens Against Crime, presented by its president and founder, Sanford Krasnoff. A Roman Catholic, he consistently supported the agenda of the Christian Coalition. He is a member of the Louisiana and Jefferson Parish bar associations, the Terrytown Civic Association, and the Republican Pachyderm Club of New Orleans. He is also affiliated with the Kiwanis Club and Citizens for a Clean and Beautiful West Jefferson. He was a member of the JayceesJunior 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...
in the Algiers
Algiers, Louisiana
Algiers is a neighborhood within the city of New Orleans. It is the portion of Orleans Parish on the West Bank of the Mississippi River.Algiers is also known as the 15th Ward, one of the 17 Wards of New Orleans.-History:...
section of New Orleans. Windhorst is also a member of the Archbishop Shaw High School development bosard.