Block, Upload, Automoderated users, edit, move, protect, rollback
57,799
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 71:
Line 71: − + Line 84:
Line 84: − + +
→As GOP state chairman
==As GOP state chairman==
==As GOP state chairman==
Lastrapes was the second Lafayette Republican to serve as state party chairman in twenty years. [[Charles and Mary de Gravelles|Charles de Gravelles]] had held the post from 1968 to 1972, during a difficult period for the Louisiana GOP.
Lastrapes was the second Lafayette Republican to serve as state party chairman in twenty years. [[Charles and Mary deGravelles|Charles de Gravelles]] had held the post from 1968 to 1972, during a difficult period for the Louisiana GOP.
As chairman, Lastrapes was also at the helm when Louisiana Republicans were in a downcast mood after the return of Governor [[Edwin Edwards]] to a fourth and final term as well as the first election of [[Bill Clinton]] as president. The Louisiana party held a convention in New Orleans in 1993, which was keynoted by former [[U.S. Representative]] and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development [[Jack Kemp]]. (The 1988 national convention had also met in New Orleans.) Lastrapes had supported Kemp for the 1988 nomination. Kemp's failure to become a serious contender was what Lastrapes considered to be his greatest personal political disappointment.
As chairman, Lastrapes was also at the helm when Louisiana Republicans were in a downcast mood after the return of Governor [[Edwin Edwards]] to a fourth and final term as well as the first election of [[Bill Clinton]] as president. The Louisiana party held a convention in New Orleans in 1993, which was keynoted by former [[U.S. Representative]] and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development [[Jack Kemp]]. (The 1988 national convention had also met in New Orleans.) Lastrapes had supported Kemp for the 1988 nomination. Kemp's failure to become a serious contender was what Lastrapes considered to be his greatest personal political disappointment.
Lastrapes was listed in 1984 as a member of the [[Council for National Policy]], a conservative think-tank begun by the Louisiana Republican (then a Democrat) [[Woody Jenkins]] intended to be a balance to the [[Council on Foreign Relations]]. Another Louisiana Republican who joined the group was state Representative Arthur William Sour, Jr., (1924–2000) of Shreveport, who legislative service parallels the mayoral years of Mayor Lastrapes. Still another was state Representative and later state Senator [[Dan Richey]], formerly of Ferriday in Concordia Parish.
Lastrapes was listed in 1984 as a member of the [[Council for National Policy]], a conservative think-tank begun by the Louisiana Republican (then a Democrat) [[Woody Jenkins]] intended to be a balance to the [[Council on Foreign Relations]]. Another Louisiana Republican who joined the group was state Representative Arthur William Sour, Jr., (1924–2000) of Shreveport, who legislative service parallels the mayoral years of Mayor Lastrapes. Still another was state Representative and later state Senator [[Dan Richey]], formerly of Ferriday in Concordia Parish.
A [[Roman Catholic]], Lastrapes is a member of Lafayette [[Right to Life]]. He was active in [[Little League]] baseball, when his sons were players. He is a veteran member of Rotary International and has been active in blood donor drives. He is also a [[cancer]] survivor.
A [[Roman Catholic]], Lastrapes is a member of Lafayette [[Right to Life]]. He was active in Little League baseball when his sons were players. He is a veteran member of Rotary International and has been active in blood donor drives. He is also a [[cancer]] survivor.
==Lastrapes and GOP growth in Acadiana==
==Lastrapes and GOP growth in Acadiana==