Changes

The open seat in District 44 developed when Representative Allen Bares (pronounced BAH REZ)  ran successfully that year for the state Senate seat vacated by failed gubernatorial candidate Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton, Jr., of Lafayette. In the 1979 [[general election]], when David Treen was elected governor, Gomez defeated a Republican woman, Mary Regan, the wife of a prominent Lafayette psychiatrist. She had been a volunteer nurse at the state Capitol and had developed an interest in politics through that experience. Gomez led in the nonpartisan blanket primary with 42 percent of the vote, and Regan trailed with 20 percent. Gomez recalled Regan as having "a very sweet demeanor, and I really didn't look forward to having to debate her" throughout a second election. Gomez ultimately defeated Regan, 76-24 percent. [11] He prevailed again in 1983 with 82 percent of the vote against a single Democratic opponent with the unlikely name of Cleophile "Bobby" Babineaux, who carried the backing of  [[organized labor]].[12]

The open seat in District 44 developed when Representative Allen Bares (pronounced BAH REZ)  ran successfully that year for the state Senate seat vacated by failed gubernatorial candidate Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton, Jr., of Lafayette. In the 1979 [[general election]], when David Treen was elected governor, Gomez defeated a Republican woman, Mary Regan, the wife of a prominent Lafayette psychiatrist. She had been a volunteer nurse at the state Capitol and had developed an interest in politics through that experience. Gomez led in the nonpartisan blanket primary with 42 percent of the vote, and Regan trailed with 20 percent. Gomez recalled Regan as having "a very sweet demeanor, and I really didn't look forward to having to debate her" throughout a second election. Gomez ultimately defeated Regan, 76-24 percent. [11] He prevailed again in 1983 with 82 percent of the vote against a single Democratic opponent with the unlikely name of Cleophile "Bobby" Babineaux, who carried the backing of  [[organized labor]].[12]

Though a Democrat in the legislature, Gomez opposed most [[Populism|populist]] and [[liberal]] measures pushed by his party. He worked closely with fellow Lafayette representative, Mike Thompson, a Democrat-turned-Republican who was unseated in 1987 in a bitter campaign by an [[Independent]], Don Bacque.[13]

Though a Democrat in the legislature, Gomez opposed most [[Populism|populist]] and [[liberal]] measures pushed by his party. He worked closely with fellow Lafayette representative,Michael F. "Mike" Thompson, a Democrat-turned-Republican who was unseated in 1987 in a bitter campaign by an [[Independent]], Don Bacque.[13]

Gomez worked in 1986 to repeal the state's [[blue laws]]s, among the last [[Sunday]]-closing requirements in the nation. Gomez determined that retailers along the borders of Louisiana were operating at a disadvantages because the surrounding states had already ended their restrictions on Sunday shopping. After debate centering upon issues of business and religion, the legislature ended the blue laws, effective December 1, 1986. Gomez commented: "When I drive past large shopping centers and malls now on Sundays and see their parking lots overflowing with shoppers' vehicles, it's hard to believe that could not be seen in Louisiana just over [twenty] years ago.[14] Gomez also obtained passage of a regional banking bill despite opposition from then U.S. Representative Buddy Roemer, a former banker originally from Bossier Parish in northwestern Louisiana.[15]

Gomez worked in 1986 to repeal the state's blue laws, among the last [[Sunday]]-closing requirements in the nation. Gomez determined that retailers along the borders of Louisiana were operating at a disadvantages because the surrounding states had already ended their restrictions on Sunday shopping. After debate centering upon issues of business and religion, the legislature ended the blue laws, effective December 1, 1986. Gomez commented: "When I drive past large shopping centers and malls now on Sundays and see their parking lots overflowing with shoppers' vehicles, it's hard to believe that could not be seen in Louisiana just over [twenty] years ago.[14] Gomez also obtained passage of a regional banking bill despite opposition from then U.S. Representative Buddy Roemer, a former banker originally from Bossier Parish in northwestern Louisiana.[15]

Gomez failed in attempts to obtain tort reform. The House Committee on Civil Law consisted mostly of plaintiff trial attorneys, and the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association mobilized its membership against the reform. The association invited consumer advocate [[Ralph Nader]] to appear at a committee hearing and to hold a press conference opposing Gomez's bills. Gomez also noted the lack of grass roots support for his reform proposals: "Most people had no idea what we were trying to do. Only individuals who had been sued or business owners who were fighting the liberal tort laws for survival could relate."[16]In 1992, Gomez became executive director of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, an interest group which worked to educate the public on the abuse of the civil justice system through what Gomez termed "decades of liberal legislators, governors, judges, and a small put politically powerful group of plaintiff trial attorneys."[17]Several of the reforms that Gomez had sought were later enacted in the administration of Republican Governor [[Mike Foster|Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.]][18]

Gomez failed in attempts to obtain tort reform. The House Committee on Civil Law consisted mostly of plaintiff trial attorneys, and the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association mobilized its membership against the reform. The association invited consumer advocate [[Ralph Nader]] to appear at a committee hearing and to hold a press conference opposing Gomez's bills. Gomez also noted the lack of grass roots support for his reform proposals: "Most people had no idea what we were trying to do. Only individuals who had been sued or business owners who were fighting the liberal tort laws for survival could relate."[16]In 1992, Gomez became executive director of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, an interest group which worked to educate the public on the abuse of the civil justice system through what Gomez termed "decades of liberal legislators, governors, judges, and a small put politically powerful group of plaintiff trial attorneys."[17] Several of the reforms that Gomez had sought were later enacted in the administration of Republican Governor [[Mike Foster|Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.]][18]

==Relations with Governors Edwards and Treen==

==Relations with Governors Edwards and Treen==