Buddy Leach

Buddy Leach
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 4th district
In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	Joe D. Waggonner
Succeeded by	Buddy Roemer
Louisiana Democratic Party state chairman
In office January 31, 2010 – April 28, 2012
Preceded by	Chris Whittington
Succeeded by	Karen Carter Peterson
Louisiana State Representative from Allen, Beauregard, and Vernon parishes
In office 1968–1979
Preceded by	Bert A. Adams
Succeeded by	William H. West
In office 1984–1988
Preceded by	William H. West
Succeeded by	John R. Smith
Personal details
Born	Anthony Claude Leach Jr. March 30, 1934 Leesville, Vernon Parish Louisiana, USA
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Laura Alexander Leach
Relations	Sister Carolyn Huntoon
Children	Mary Leach Werner Lucy Leach Davenport Claude Alexander Leach
Parents	Claude and Lucille Leach
Alma mater	Louisiana State University Louisiana State University Law Center
Occupation	Businessman; Attorney
Military service
Service/branch	United States Army

Anthony Claude "Buddy" Leach Jr. (born March 30, 1934) is an American politician. Formerly, he was the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 4th congressional district and a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He has served as the chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party and was a Democratic candidate for Governor of Louisiana in 2003.^[1][2]

Early life, education and career

Leach was born in Leesville in Vernon Parish in western Louisiana. He graduated from Leesville High School. In 1951, Leach attended Louisiana State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science. In 1954, Leach was diagnosed with polio. He suffered from temporary paralysis but eventually recovered from the disease.^[3] After attending college, Leach served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1959. In 1963, he obtained his Juris Doctorate from the Louisiana State University Law Center. In 1964, he was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar Association and began a law practice career in Leesville.^[1] After the death of his father, Leach began running the family plumbing business. Leach then sold the business after finding new jobs for all of the employees. He later became president and CEO of Sweet Lake Land and Oil Co. and North American Land Co. in Lake Charles.^[3]

State and U.S. House of Representatives

In 1968, Leach was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. In his first term, he served in a two-member district with fellow Democrat E. Holman Jones of Oakdale in Allen Parish. Leach was reelected in 1972 and 1976. In 1979, he gave up his seat to run for U.S. Representative in Louisiana's 4th congressional district. He served only one term as a U.S. congressman. In 1983, Leach sought to regain his former state legislative seat.^[4] He unseated the incumbent Democrat, William H. West. In his last term as a state legislator, Leach served on the House Ways and Means committee. In this capacity, he recommended that a tax be placed on foreign oil processed within the state.^[1][3]

Campaign for Governor

In 2003, Leach launched his campaign to be Governor of Louisiana. Leach campaigned on fundamentally changing the way state government operated. He suggested that the state use a "brillo pad" to "scrub the budget." Having been diagnosed with polio at a young age, the topic of fixing healthcare in Louisiana was one of his main priorities. Many young voters were attracted to his campaign's message. He had teams of volunteers set up in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.^[3] Many other candidates were in the race, including Democrats Kathleen Blanco and Richard Ieyoub. Republicans ran Bobby Jindal as an alternative choice for voters. In the end, Leach came in fourth place behind Richard Ieyoub, Kathleen Blanco, and Bobby Jindal, respectively. Kathleen Blanco went on to win the general election.

Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party

In 2010, Leach was elected chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party in a special election.^[5] During his tenure as chairman, the party struggled to field candidates for statewide offices.^[6] The party was unable to find a well funded candidate to run against Governor Bobby Jindal. For the first time since Reconstruction, Democrats lost both houses of the state legislature to Republicans. On April 28, 2012, Leach lost his reelection bid as state party chair to State Senator Karen Carter Peterson of New Orleans.^[2]

References

1. "Leach, Anthony Claude, Jr.". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
2. Anderson, Ed (2012-04-29). "Karen Carter Peterson ousts Buddy Leach as leader of Louisiana Democratic Party". Times-Picayune (Saint Tammany Edition). p. A1. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
3. Hasten, Mike. "Leach wants to clean up state budget". Capitol Watch. Louisiana Gannet News. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
4. "Leach will try again for La. House seat", Minden Press-Herald, March 23, 1983, p. 1
5. Deslatte, Melinda. "Louisiana Democratic Party chairman wants to retain post". The Associated Press. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
6. Deslatte, Melinda. "Louisiana Democrats look to rebuild grassroots base". The Associated Press. Retrieved 12 February 2013.