Magee seeks Whitney’s House seat

Terrebonne settles case with HPD sergeant for $300,000
June 10, 2015
Local Catholic church announces several appointments
June 10, 2015
Terrebonne settles case with HPD sergeant for $300,000
June 10, 2015
Local Catholic church announces several appointments
June 10, 2015

A Houma attorney is challenging state Rep. Lenar Whitney for her District 53 seat, maintaining that he will focus more on local issues.


Tanner Magee, who routinely practices law in Terrebonne Parish, is a Republican, as is Whitney.

She has not yet announced whether she will seek to reclaim the seat, which she has occupied since 2011.

An open primary election will be held on Oct. 24. The close of qualification for the race is not until Sept. 10. If only Magee and Whitney run, the primary would decide the race. If other candidates throw their hats in the ring and none receives a majority – 50 percent plus one vote – then a general election would be held Nov. 21.


“I am concerned about my friends and family who are struggling right now,” Magee said in a statement, which alludes to the incumbent’s strong support of out-going Gov. Bobby Jindal. “Because of the policies of the Jindal administration, Louisiana is at a financial crossroads. We need someone who will go to Baton Rouge and fight for Terrebonne, not for special interest groups … With the current budget crisis and oil prices, we need someone who cares about Terrebonne more than ever.”

Among special interests, the announcement states, is the Tea Party, from which Whitney garnered a lot of support.

The district, one of two that includes Terrebonne, spans the Houma communities of Oakshire and Broadmoor and along with Park Avenue both east and west. In addition it includes the communities of Bayou Blue, Cocodrie, Montegut, Bourg and Pointe-aux-Chenes.


During a 2014 run for the Sixth Congressional District seat vacated by Dr. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, who ran for the U.S. Senate and defeated former Sen. Mary Landrieu, Whitney became a controversial lightning rod and placed fifth out of six candidates.

In a highly-publicized YouTube video, Whitney claimed that human interaction with the environment has not affected global warming.

A national political blog, the Cook Report, offered blistering criticism of Whitney, branded “frightening” and “fact-averse” by pundit David Wasserman in a Washington Post opinion piece.


A social networking fight ensued.

That and other imbroglios resulted in comparisons of Whitney to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a 2012 vice presidential candidate on defeated Republican John McCain’s ticket.

Magee’s statement stressed that his campaign will focus on what he describes as “responsible conservatism” and includes references to his educational and career backgrounds.


“In addition to a law degree I also have a masters in public administration from LSU,” Magee states. “I understand the role of the budget process and public policy in driving economic development in this area. Ultimately it’s about keeping and creating jobs.”

Tanner Magee