Jean-Paul Coussan
| Jean Paul Philip Coussan | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana State Representative for District 45 (Lafayette Parish) | |
|
Assumed office January 11, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Joel Robideaux |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 1978 Lafayette, Louisiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Jennifer Joy Coussan |
| Children | George, Claire, and Caroline Coussan |
| Parents | Dr. George and Jo Ellen Becnel Coussan |
| Alma mater |
St. Thomas More High School in Lafayette |
| Occupation | Lawyer; Businessman |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Jean Paul Philip Coussan, known as Jean-Paul Coussan (born August 1978), is a lawyer and title company executive from Lafayette, Louisiana, who is the District 45 member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. On January 11, 2016, he succeeded Joel Robideaux, who term-limited in the legislature was instead elected to the presidency of the Lafayette Parish government.[1]
Background
Coussan's paternal grandparents were educators. Grandfather G. Louis Coussan was a professor and dean of the College of Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Grandmother Mary B. Coussan taught for the Lafayette Parish School Board. Representative Coussan's father, Dr. George Coussan, was a radiologist and the quarterback for the ULL Ragin' Cajuns; the team played in the 1970 Grantland Rice Bowl, played in Baton Rouge. His mother, the former Jo Ellen Becnel, is a real estate broker for Van Eaton & Romero in Lafayette. Coussan and his wife, Jennifer Joy, have three children, George, Claire and Caroline. They worship at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Lafayette.[2]
Coussan himself graduated from the Catholic-affiliated St. Thomas More High School in Lafayette and Louisiana State University and the Louisiana State University Law Center, both in Baton Rouge.[2]
Coussan is a partner at Andrus Boudreaux Complete Title, a Lafayette real estate law firm. He co-founded Cougar Constructione. As an attorney, he was formerly affiliated with Ottinger Hebert, LLC, at which he represented clients primarily in the oil and natural gas inudstries. He served for five years on the Cajundome Commission. He has been affiliated too with the Chamber of Commerce, the Acadian Homebuilders Association, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.[2]
Political life
In the November 21 runoff election, Coussan narrowly defeated fellow Republican Andre' Comeaux, 5,765 votes (51.2 percent) to 5,505 (48.8 percent).[3] The two had emerged as the top candidates in the October 24 primary election in which a third contender, Republican Jan Swift, was eliminated.[4] Upon his election, Coussan said he would focus on the state budget, particularly in reference to higher education and health care. He vowed to promote local infrastructure projects.[4]
In 2016, Representative Coussan joined a bipartisan majority in the House, 76-27, to raise the state sales tax from four to five cents on the dollar for a 27-month period from April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. The tax hike was part of an even larger package of revenue measures pushed to passage by Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards.[5]
References
- ↑ "Election returns". Louisiana Secretary of State. October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- 1 2 3 "About Jean-Paul". coussan.com. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ↑ "Election Returns". Louisiana Secretary of State. November 21, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- 1 2 Claire Taylor (November 22, 2015). "Jean-Paul Coussan wins House District 45 race". Lafayette Daily Advertiser. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ↑ "State House of Representatives Vote to Increase Sales Tax". KEEL. February 25, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
| Louisiana House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Joel Robideaux |
Louisiana State Representative for District 45 (Lafayette Parish) Jean Paul Philip Coussan |
Succeeded by Incumbent |