Reggie Bagala

Reggie Paul Bagala​​​
Louisiana State Representative for District 54 (Lafourche Parish and one precinct in Jefferson Parish)
In office January 13, 2020​​​ – April 9, 2020
Preceded by	Jerry J. "Truck" Gisclair​
Succeeded by	Joseph A. Orgeron
Born	​July 8, 1965​ ​Place of birth missing​ Resident of Lockport in Lafourche Parish​​
Died	April 9, 2020 (aged 54)
Political party	Republican​​​
Spouse(s)	Marissa Bagala
Children	​Tristan Paul Bagala
Alma mater	Louisiana State University Parents: Charles Gene and June L. Bagala
Occupation	Businessman​
Religion	Roman Catholic

Reggie Paul Bagala (July 8, 1965 – April 9, 2020) was a businessman from Lockport, Louisiana, who served briefly as a Republican state representative for District 54 in Jefferson and Lafourche parishes. On January 13, 2020, he succeeded the term limited Democratic Representative Jerry J. "Truck" Gisclair, who ran unsuccessfully in 2019 for the District 20 seat in the state Senate. Less than three months after taking office, Bagala died of the coronavirus.^[1]

Bagala defeated two opponents in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 12, 2019. His 6,824 votes constituted 58 percent of the vote. The runner-up candidate was Republican Donny James Lerille (born 1969) of Larose, the widowed son-in-law of departing Representative Jerry Gisclair.^[2] Lerille finished with 3,054 votes (26 percent).^[3]

Bagala is a fifth-generation descendant of his family in Lafourche Parish. His great-grandfather, Francesco Bagala, an Italian immigrant, settled in Cut Off, and with his wife Stella reared four children. His grandfather, Joseph Jackson "Joe" Bagala (1915-1981), started the Great Marine Corporation, which worked on vessels from Raceland to Grand Isle. His father, Charles Gene Bagala (1941-1993), established a supply boat business in Golden Meadow.^[4]

Bagala graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He was class president of the American Campaign Academy. A long-term supporter of conservative policy goals, he carried the backing of many Republican committees in his House campaign. Much earlier, he worked on the office staff of Republican former U.S. Representative Richard Hugh Baker of Louisiana's 6th congressional district, a post now held by Republican Garret Graves. He was a deputy district administrator, in which capacity he handled public relations. He was involved with the coordination of federal, state, and local government and handled constituent cases from student aid programs to Veterans Administration benefits to student aid programs.^[4]

Bagala's wife, Marissa (born 1966), is the principal of St. Mary's Nativity School, a Roman Catholic institution in Raceland. The couple has a son, Tristan Bagala, a recent university honors graduate.^[4]

Bagala's friend, former state Senator Marty Chabert of Houma in Terrebonne Parish announced Bagala's death on social media, confirmed by son Tristan Bagala.^[1]

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