Laurie Schlegel
ââ
| Laurie Garrand Schlegel | |
 | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office April 2021ââââ | |
| Preceded by | Charles A. Henryâ |
|---|---|
| Born | February 18, 1977âââ |
| Political party | Republicanââ |
| Spouse(s) | Judge Scott Schlegel |
| Residence | Metairie, Jefferson Parish |
| Occupation | Licensed professional counselor and therapist |
ââ Laurie Garrand Schlegel (born February 18, 1977)[1] is the Republican state representative for District 82 in suburban Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The position opened in 2021, when the one-year incumbent, Charles A. Henry, resigned to re-enter the private sector.
In a special election held on April 24, 2021, Schlegel narrowly defeated fellow Republican Edwin Toribio "Eddie" Connick, 2,995 votes (52 percent) to 2,778 (48 percent). Connick had led in the first round of balloting, 40 to 36 percent.[2]
Eddie Connick is a cousin of state Senator Patrick Connick, District Attorney Paul Connick, Jr., and the singer Harry Connick, Jr.[3]
Schlegel is a licensed professional counselor and therapist. Her husband, Scott Schlegel, is a judge of the Louisiana 24th Judicial District in Jefferson Parish.[4]
The campaign was heated; both candidates tried to stress their conservative bona fides and promised to make the state more business friendly. In the final month, Connick put out a mailer calling Schlegel, a "social worker." Schlegel said the district could not afford to send "another Connick" to the legislature. In a subsequent mailer she compared Connick to a faceless mannequin with a famous name. The rift culminated in an appearance on April 18 WDSU-TV, as Connick angrily denounced Schlegel's mannequin comments.[4]
References
- â Laurie Schlegel (G), 44 - Metairie, LA Background Report at MyLife.com, accessed May 3, 2021.
- â Louisiana Secretary of State, Special election returns, March 20 and April 24, 2021.
- â Eddie Connick (T), 59 - Metairie, LA Has Court or Arrest Records at MyLife.com, accessed May 3, 2021.
- â 4.0 4.1 Laurie Schlegel wins East Jefferson-based District 82 House seat over Eddie Connick | Local Politics | nola.com, accessed May 3, 2021.