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'''Kenneth L. Odinet, Sr.''' (born October 9, 1930)<ref name=whoswho/> is a retired [[business]]man from Arabi in St. Bernard Parish in [[suburb]]an [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], who is a former state representative.

'''Kenneth L. Odinet, Sr.''' (October 9, 1930 &ndash; December 30, 2022)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obits.nola.com/us/obituaries/nola/name/kenneth-odinet-obituary?id=38541624|title=Kenneth Odinet obituary|publisher=''New Orleans Times-Picayne''|date=January 4, 2023}}</ref> was a retired [[business]]man from Arabi in St. Bernard Parish in [[suburb]]an [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], who formerly was a state representative.<ref name=bio/> As a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], he represented District 103, encompassing [[New Orleans|Orleans]] and St. Bernard parishes, from 1988 to 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2024|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=November 3, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name=bio/> As a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], he represented District 103, encompassing [[New Orleans|Orleans]] and St. Bernard parishes, from 1988 to 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2024|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=November 3, 2020}}</ref>

In 2008, he switched parties and ran unsuccessfully as a [[Republican Party|Republican]] for the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Another Republican, Eric Skrmetta, won the election and remains on the commission. In 2015, Odinet was still a registered Republican.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/Home?uid=1658578|title=Kenneth Odinet, October 1930|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=June 27, 2015}}</ref>

In 2008, he switched parties and ran unsuccessfully as a [[Republican Party|Republican]] for the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Another Republican, Eric Skrmetta, won the election and remains on the commission. In 2015, Odinet was still a registered Republican.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/Home?uid=1658578|title=Kenneth Odinet, October 1930|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=June 27, 2015}}</ref>

In 1951 and 1957, Odinet receive bachelor's and master's degrees, respectively, from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]].<ref name=whoswho>"Louisiana: Odinet Sr., Kenneth L,"  ''Who's Who in American Politics, 2007-2008'' (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence,  [[New Jersey]], 2007), p. 668.</ref> From 1952 to 1954, Odinet served in the [[United States Army]] and attended infantry school at Fort Benning,  [[Georgia]]. He was an engineer from 1954 to 1957, a construction engineer/ manager from 1958 to 1973, and a consulting engineer/contractor from 1973 to 1986.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/4596/kenneth-odinet-sr#.VY9YDsvbLX4|title=Kenneth Odinet Sr.'s Biography|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=November 3, 2020}}</ref>

In 1951 and 1957, Odinet receive bachelor's and master's degrees, respectively, from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]].<ref name=whoswho>"Louisiana: Odinet Sr., Kenneth L,"  ''Who's Who in American Politics, 2007-2008'' (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence,  [[New Jersey]], 2007), p. 668.</ref> From 1952 to 1954, Odinet served in the [[United States Army]] and attended infantry school at Fort Benning,  [[Georgia]]. He was an engineer from 1954 to 1957, a construction engineer/ manager from 1958 to 1973, and a consulting engineer/contractor from 1973 to 1986.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/4596/kenneth-odinet-sr#.VY9YDsvbLX4|title=Kenneth Odinet Sr.'s Biography|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=November 3, 2020}}</ref>

In 1957, he wed the former Rosemary Popich (also born October 1930). The [[Roman Catholic]] couple has thirteen children.<ref name=whoswho/> Odinet is affiliated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the [[American Association of Retired Persons]].<ref name=bio/>

In 1957, he wed the former Rosemary Popich (also born October 1930) of Buras, Louisiana. The [[Roman Catholic]] couple has thirteen children.<ref name=whoswho/> Odinet was affiliated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the [[American Association of Retired Persons]].<ref name=bio/>

==Elections==

==Elections==

Odinet won reelection over two Democrats in 1991 with 56.4 percent of the vote.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 19, 1991.</ref> He went on to defeat with ease the Republicans Pamela Nevle in 1995 and Robert Breaud, Jr., in 1999 and 2003.

Odinet won reelection over two Democrats in 1991 with 56.4 percent of the vote.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 19, 1991.</ref> He went on to defeat with ease the Republicans Pamela Nevle in 1995 and Robert Breaud, Jr., in 1999 and 2003.

In 2007, Odinet, still a Democrat, ran for the District 1 seat in the state Senate, vacated by Walter Boasso, who instead ran unsuccessfully as a Republican-turned-Democrat for [[governor]] against [[Bobby Jindal]]. Odinet lost the Senate race to State Representative A. G. Crowe of Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish, 11,625 votes (52 percent) to 10,811 (48 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.</ref>

In 2007, Odinet, still a Democrat, ran for the District 1 seat in the state Senate, vacated by Walter Boasso, who instead ran unsuccessfully as a Republican-turned-Democrat for [[governor]] against [[Bobby Jindal]]. Odinet lost the Senate race to State Representative A. G. Crowe of Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish, 11,625 votes (52 percent) to 10,811 (48 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.</ref>

In the 2008 race for the Public Service Commissioner, Odinet narrowly lost a [[general election]] berth with the front-running candidate, former Commissioner John F. Schwegmann, an [[Independent voter|Independent]], by 736 votes. He received 33,470 votes (22.6 percent) to Schwegmann's 61,711 (41.8 percent). Schwegmann entered the runoff with Eric F. Skrmetta, the primary runner-up who received 34,206 ballots (23.1 percent). Another Independent or No Party candidate, Bruce C. Kincade, held the remaining 18,440 votes (12.4 percent). The position opened when incumbent [[Jay Blossman]] did not seek reelection.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 4, 2008.</ref> Skrmetta then defeated Schwegmann in the November 4 general election.

In the 2008 race for the Public Service Commissioner, Odinet narrowly lost a [[general election]] berth with the front-running candidate, former Commissioner [[John F. Schwegmann]], an [[Independent voter|Independent]], by 736 votes. He received 33,470 votes (22.6 percent) to Schwegmann's 61,711 (41.8 percent). Schwegmann entered the runoff with Eric F. Skrmetta, the primary runner-up who received 34,206 ballots (23.1 percent). Another Independent or No Party candidate, Bruce C. Kincade, held the remaining 18,440 votes (12.4 percent). The position opened when incumbent [[Jay Blossman]] did not seek re-election.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 4, 2008.</ref> Skrmetta then defeated Schwegmann in the November 4 general election.

==House record==

==House record==