Jobs needed in Dist. 55

Job creation is at the core of the race for Louisiana House District 55, where a seasoned politician grapples with a long-time Lafourche businessman.

As Jerome “Dee” Richard seeks a second consecutive term in the Legislature, Raceland-based Bobby “Beck” Grabert, motivated by “overregulation of business,” seeks to win his first election.

Grabert, a Republican, owns a bar and restaurant in Raceland and said he would try to pass legislation that stimulates business growth through reducing regulation.

“They’re (state and federal governments) involved in the operation of business and our personal lives rather than taking care of our freedoms and our borders,” Grabert, 63, said. “We’ve got to create these jobs and grow this economy to get the people back on their feet. We’re in a nightmare of an economy right now.”

Grabert also said he would focus on protecting higher education, including technical colleges, and work on securing funding for coastal restoration projects.

Richard said his top local priority is education and jobs, which he said go “hand-in-hand.” He said he would tackle the issues by making sure institutions of higher education are properly funded.

“The jobs they are looking for right now in shipbuilding and other industrial areas, jobs are available and we can’t fill them right now because we don’t have the workforce,” said Richard, who has no party affiliation.

Richard, 56, of Thibodaux, said he would re-file legislation that failed during the 2011 session that targets state spending by eliminating 10 percent of the state’s consulting contracts and cutting the state employee level by 10,000 over three years through attrition.

“We’re going to file these bills as soon as I’m re-elected,” he said. “My belief is that we have a spending problem and not a revenue problem.”

Prior to winning the state seat in 2007, Richard served nine years on the Thibodaux City Council and 10 years on the Lafourche Parish School Board. He said it was his prior experience, including writing prospective laws and discussing them in committee meetings, that prepared him for his current post and makes him the better choice.

“So when it comes time in the Legislature to understand what these committees are about that you served on, having served on the school board and the city council prepares you for that,” Richard said.

Grabert said his professional experience and proven track record of managing employees separates him from Richard, who he described as a “career politician and a bureaucrat.”

“He has voted for regulation that affects my business,” Grabert said. “I think if he does that, that makes everyone’s business subject to him.

“I’ve got 22 years in the employment jobs service business. I will represent all the people and not just the special interest groups.”

Meet the Candidates

BOBBY GRABERT

AGE: 63

PARTY: Republican

OCCUPATION: Owner of a bar and restaurant

FAMILY: Married, two children, six grandchildren

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Appointed to Parish Council in 1995 for six months; Ran for state Senate District 19 in 1987

JEROME ‘DEE’ RICHARD

AGE: 56

PARTY: No Party

OCCUPATION: Business development for Byron Talbot Contractors Inc.

FAMILY: Married, one child, two step grandchildren

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: One term as State Rep.; member of the Thibodaux City Council for nine years; member of the Lafourche Parish School Board for 10 years.