One of Lafayette's very own wins the second best spot in the state house. State Representative, Joel Robideaux is the new speaker pro tem in the House of Representatives. He won the position Monday at the start of session.
This is the first time in Louisiana history that an independent has won the position of speaker pro tem. Robideaux's job will be to assist the speaker and try to get the minimum amount of votes to pass. Robideaux says his win proves that the legislative party is doing their job. ""It's not about party politics, they look at the individuals and vote their conscience and I think that's the way it should be," said Robideaux.
Winning wasn't easy, this is the second time in state history there's been an election for this position, forcing a public roll call vote. 48 of the legislator's votes went to State Representative Noble Ellington and 53 of them went to Robideaux.
Robeideaux will serve as the speakers' right hand person and fill in when he's not there. Political expert, Pearson Cross agrees, "Robideaux is known as a very acute vote counter, so from that stand point and in this particular legislature he's going to be a person that will help Jim Tucker get his mission accomplished."
Cross says Robideaux's party affiliation will help him appeal to both sides. He says it could also serve as an indication to how the session will be. "It could be a struggle. You're not going to have much in the way of party line votes; you're going to have things hammered out on an issue by issue basis, so it's going to be very interesting."
In addition to being speaker pro tem, Robideaux still represents Acadiana, specifically Lafayette because he is still a state representative. Robideaux will serve as speaker pro tem for the next two years. As far as session goes, he says his major concern is the budget.
Sarah Rosario
srosario@katctv.com



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