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(2) Though [[New Orleans]] is known for its political [[liberalism]], the [[conservative]] Forster managed to hold a legislative seat from a district including the [[French Quarter]] for fifteen years.​

(2) Though [[New Orleans]] is known for its political [[liberalism]], the [[conservative]] Forster managed to hold a legislative seat from a district including the [[French Quarter]] for fifteen years.​

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'''Garey Forster''' (born April 29, 1950) is an American [[radio]] host who served from 1982 to 1997 as a [[Republican Party|Republican]] state representative for the District 98 seat, based in [[New Orleans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=October 17, 2009}}</ref> when he resigned to become the secretary of labor under [[Governor of Louisiana|Governor]] [[Mike Foster|Murphy J. “Mike” Foster, Jr.]]​

'''Garey Forster''' (born April 29, 1950) is an American [[radio]] host who served from 1982 to 1997 as a [[Republican Party|Republican]] state representative for the District 98 seat, based in [[New Orleans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=October 17, 2009}}</ref> when he resigned to become the secretary of labor under [[Governor]] [[Mike Foster|Murphy J. “Mike” Foster, Jr.]]​

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==Background==​

==Background==​

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Forster, a [[Roman Catholic]], graduated from the all-male Brother Martin High School. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from [[Tulane University]] and has been a fellow of the Institute of Politics at Loyola University New Orleans. He is a past district chairman of the [[Boy Scouts]]. Forster is married to the former Stephanie Price.<ref name=enlou>{{cite web|url= http://enlou.com/officeholders/housedistrict98.htm|title=House District 98|publisher=enlou.com|accessdate=October 17, 2009; no longer on-line}}</ref>​

Forster, a [[Roman Catholic]], graduated from the all-male Brother Martin High School. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from [[Tulane University]] and has been a fellow of the Institute of Politics at Loyola University New Orleans. He is a past district chairman of the [[Boy Scouts]]. Forster is married to the former Stephanie Price.<ref name=enlou>{{cite web|url= http://enlou.com/officeholders/housedistrict98.htm|title=House District 98|publisher=enlou.com|accessdate=October 17, 2009; no longer on-line}}</ref>​

 

Forster formerly owned a direct mail company. He completed a specialty training course sponsored by the National Federation of Independent Business.<ref name=enlou/>​

Forster formerly owned a direct mail company. He completed a specialty training course sponsored by the National Federation of Independent Business.<ref name=enlou/>​

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In 1982, Forster won the House District 99 seat as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in a [[special election]] called because of the resignation of Republican Representative Lane Anderson Carson, who joined the administration of one-term Republican [[Governor]] [[David C. Treen]]. Forster prevailed thereafter in the regular elections of 1983, 1987, 1991, and 1995. His party conversion came in 1984, and the district was renumbered to 98. In the 1987 nonpartisan blanket primary, also known as the jungle primary, Forster defeated Democratic opponent C. Joseph "Joe" Murray, 7,709 (54.6 percent) to 6,415 (45.4 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 1987.</ref>

In 1982, Forster won the House District 99 seat as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in a [[special election]] called because of the resignation of Republican Representative Lane Anderson Carson, who joined the administration of one-term Republican [[Governor]] [[David C. Treen]]. Forster prevailed thereafter in the regular elections of 1983, 1987, 1991, and 1995. His party conversion came in 1984, and the district was renumbered to 98. In the 1987 nonpartisan blanket primary, also known as the jungle primary, Forster defeated Democratic opponent C. Joseph "Joe" Murray, 7,709 (54.6 percent) to 6,415 (45.4 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 1987.</ref>

In 1991, Forster won the primary outright by defeating three Democrats and an [[Independent]] with 57.7 percent of the vote.<ref>{Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns,  October 19, 1991.</ref> In 1995, Forster polled 52.6 percent in the primary against a Democrat, Norbert Rome and a Republican challenger, Joyce S. Sackett.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcpr&rqsdta=10219536|title=Louisiana election returns, October 21, 1995|publisher=sos.louisiana.gov|accessdate=October 17, 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>​

In 1991, Forster won the primary outright by defeating three Democrats and an [[Independent]] with 57.7 percent of the vote.<ref>{Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns,  October 19, 1991.</ref> In 1995, Forster polled 52.6 percent in the primary against a Democrat, Norbert Rome and a Republican challenger, Joyce S. Sackett.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 21, 1995.</ref>​

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On several occasions during the 1990s, Forster was honored by the Alliance for Good Government. He also received the Monte Lehman Award from Louisiana Civil Service  and was honored by the French Quarter Business Association for legislative achievements in promoting business.<ref name=enlou/> His district included the French Quarter. New Orleans businessman [[Rob Couhig]], a leader in the efforts to revive the Orleans Parish Republican Party, was an early campaign manager for Forster.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.couhigpartners.com/team/couhig.php|title=Couhig Partners, LLC|publisher=couhigpartners.com|accessdate=October 17, 2009}}</ref>​

On several occasions during the 1990s, Forster was honored by the Alliance for Good Government. He also received the Monte Lehman Award from Louisiana Civil Service  and was honored by the French Quarter Business Association for legislative achievements in promoting business.<ref name=enlou/> His district included the French Quarter. New Orleans businessman [[Rob Couhig]], a leader in the efforts to revive the Orleans Parish Republican Party, was an early campaign manager for Forster.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.couhigpartners.com/team/couhig.php|title=Couhig Partners, LLC|publisher=couhigpartners.com|accessdate=October 17, 2009}}</ref>​

As a legislator, Forster was a member of the nonpartisan and conservative [[American Legislative Exchange Council]].<ref name=enlou/>​

As a legislator, Forster was a member of the nonpartisan and conservative [[American Legislative Exchange Council]].<ref name=enlou/>​

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===Cockfighting===​

===Cockfighting===

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Forster was an early vigorous advocate of a ban on cockfighting in Louisiana. In 1990, with the support of animal rights activists, he proposed two bills, one to ban the practice outright and the other to reclassify fowl as “animals” so that they could gain protection through laws banning animal cruelty. "We've been trying to get this thing passed for years, and we'll probably try again ...," Forster said.<ref name=fowl>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1990-06-14/news/mn-233_1|author=Garry Boulard|title=Regional Report: Custom Survives: Cockfighting Dies Slow Death in Tradition-Bound Louisiana|publisher=''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'|date=June 14, 1990|accessdate=October 17, 2009}}</ref>​

Forster was an early vigorous advocate of a ban on cockfighting in Louisiana. In 1990, with the support of animal rights activists, he proposed two bills, one to ban the practice outright and the other to reclassify fowl as “animals” so that they could gain protection through laws banning animal cruelty. "We've been trying to get this thing passed for years, and we'll probably try again ...," Forster said.<ref name=fowl>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1990-06-14/news/mn-233_1|author=Garry Boulard|title=Regional Report: Custom Survives: Cockfighting Dies Slow Death in Tradition-Bound Louisiana|publisher=''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'|date=June 14, 1990|accessdate=October 17, 2009}}</ref>​

==References==

==References==

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{{reflist}}

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