Lane Jean
| Samuel Lane Jean | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 4th district | |
|
In office January 2011 – January 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Maloch |
| Succeeded by | Fonda Hawthorne |
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 2nd district | |
|
Assumed office January 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Larry Cowling |
| Mayor of Magnolia, Arkansas | |
|
In office 1995 – December 31, 2010 | |
| Succeeded by | Parnell Vann |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1958 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Judith Jean |
| Children |
Kelli Jean Taylor |
| Residence |
Magnolia, Columbia County Arkansas, USA |
| Alma mater | Southern Arkansas University |
| Occupation | Businessman: Real estate, cattle, timber |
| Religion | Church of Christ |
Samuel Lane Jean (born 1958) is a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from District 2, which includes parts of Lafayette, Miller, and Columbia counties in south Arkansas. He has held the District 2 seat since January 2013. From 2011 to 2013, he was the representative from District 4. He was elected in 2012 by his colleagues as the House Republican Whip. He serves under Majority Leader Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs[1] and subsequent Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives Davy Carter of Cabot in Lonoke County, who was elected as the presiding officer of the House in 2013.
Background
Jean's mother, Katheryn "Kitty" Reeves Jean (1929-2007), a native of Birmingham, Alabama, was the president of Reeves Land and Timber Company of Magnolia. She was active for many years in the Republican Party in Columbia County. Jean has a brother, Hal H. Jean (born 1954) of Magnolia.[2]
Jean graduated from Magnolia High School and attended Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. In 1984, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. He is a former SAU trustee and a former commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development.[3]
Political career
From 1995 to 2010, Jean was the mayor of Magnolia.[4] Earlier, like his mother, he was a Columbia County justice of the peace. He is engaged in the cattle, timber, and real estate businesses. He is a Bible teacher at the Jackson Street Church of Christ in Magnolia. Jean is also affiliated with Rotary International and the Arkansas Municipal League. He and his wife, Judith, have two grown children, Kelli and Gray.[3]
Jean won his District 4 House seat in the general election held on November 2, 2010; he succeeded the term-limited Democrat, Bruce Maloch, who was elected instead to the Arkansas State Senate. Jean defeated the Democratic nominee, Raymond Robertson, the owner of a former pharmacy store in Welcome in Columbia County; the tabulation was 4,061 votes (52.5 percent) to 3,671 (47.5 percent).[5]
Jean serves on these House committees: (1) Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development, (2) Revenue and Taxation, (3) Public Retirement and Social Security Programs, (4) Budget. The latter two are joint House and Senate committees.[3]Jean is opposed to abortion, having voted to ban the practice after twenty weeks of gestation or whenever fetal heartbeat is determined. He voted to allow university staff to carry concealed weapons and to require picture identification for voting.[6]
In February 2015, Jean introduced legislation backed by dozens of his fellow Republicans and two Democrats to reduce unemployment compensation benefits. The measure was promptly signed into law by the newly elected Governor Asa Hutchinson.[7]
References
- ↑ "Westerman elected Republican leader, March 9, 2012". arhouse.org. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- ↑ "Katheryn "Kitty" Reeves Jean". tributes.com. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Lane Jean, R-2". arkansashouse.org. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- ↑ "Magnolia Mayor-elect Parnell Vann wants public's help with solving problems, December 28, 2010". magnoliareporter.com. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ↑ "Jean carries Columbia, Miller counties in House race against Robertson, November 3, 2010". magnoliareporter.com. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- ↑ "Representative Lane Jean's Political Summary". votesmart.org. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ↑ "HB 1489 - Reduces Unemployment Benefits - Key Vote". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
| Preceded by Bruce Maloch |
Arkansas State Representative from District 4
Samuel Lane Jean |
Succeeded by Fonda Hawthorne |
| Preceded by Larry Cowling |
Arkansas State Representative from District 2 (Columbia, Lafayette, and Miller counties)
Samuel Lane Jean |
Succeeded by Incumbent |