Clay Schexnayder
Clay Schexnayder | |
|---|---|
Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives | |
| In office January 13, 2020 – January 8, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Taylor Barras |
| Succeeded by | Phillip DeVillier |
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 81st district | |
| In office January 9, 2012 – January 8, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | John LaBruzzo |
| Succeeded by | Jeffrey Wiley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Clay John Schexnayder February 25, 1969 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Signature |  |
Clay John Schexnayder (
Early life and education
Schexnayder is the son of Perry P. Schexnayder and the former Dorothy Ann Demars (1937–2009).
In 1989, Schexnayder graduated from
Career before politics
In 1998, Schexnayder opened Car Craft and Rubber Company Automotive, in
Political career
State House tenure before speakership (2012–2019)
Schexnayder was first elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2011 from District 81,[5] which encompasses parts of four parishes: Livingston, Ascension, St. James, and St. John the Baptist.[6]
In 2016, Schexnayder sponsored legislation to repeal Louisiana's motorcycle helmet law, making it legal for motorcyclists ages 21 and up to ride motorcycles without head protection; the bill failed to pass on a 48–32 vote, falling short of the 53 votes required for the bill to advance.[7]
In 2016, Schexnayder was named to the Executive Committee of the Louisiana Legislative Rural Caucus for the 2016–2017 term.[8]
As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Schexnayder opposed a bill in 2018 to allow
In 2019, Schexnayder sponsored legislation to permit and regulate
Speaker of the state House (2020–present)
In January 2020, Schexnayder won the post of speaker of the House after some Democrats supported him, while most of the Republican representatives supported a different candidate for the post, Livingston Republican
The vote occurred after days of intense negotiations between Mack and Schexnayder, which eventually broke down.
In May 2021, Schexnayder supported a police reform bill, which passed the House on a 53-42 vote. The bill, backed by the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, proposed new limits on qualified immunity, a doctrine that bars some victims from obtaining relief in court for police misconduct; it was the outcome of a compromise reached by a task force convened to address police misconduct.[18] However, the bill failed to advance in the Senate.[19][20]
House Republicans have 68 seats in the state House, short of the 70 votes needed to
In 2021, Schexnayder ousted Representative Ray Garofalo from his chairmanship of the House Education Committee as part of an intra-party Republican feud over Garofalo's support for a bill that would ban public schools or colleges from teaching that the U.S. or the State of Louisiana is "systematically racist or sexist" and ban the provision of information that "promotes divisive concepts."[26] This bill was similar to bills pushed by Republicans in other states.[26] Schexnayder asked Garofalo not to move the bill forward, but Garofalo did so anyway.[26] Republican Mark Wright the vice chairman of the committee, became chair in Garofalo's place.[26]
Schexnayder pushed legislation to extend Louisiana's movie production incentives for an additional eight years; the bill passed in 2023.[27]
Campaign for secretary of state
In 2023, Schexnayder publicly considered a potential run for governor.
Personal life
Schexnayder and his wife, Phoebe (née Keller),[6] have four children and several grandchildren.[4]
References
- Baton Rouge Morning Advocate, November 30, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ Staff reports, Schexnayder announces candidacy for State Representative, Gonzales Weekly Citizen (July 11, 2011).
- ^ Mike Smith, He grew up in the swamp. Now Clay Schexnayder hopes to see it revived (February 12, 2013).
- ^ a b c d e Kathleen Peppo, 'It was a ride': Clay Schexnayder went from racing cars to leading the Louisiana House, LSU Manship School News Service (March 3, 2021).
- ^ Louisiana speaker of the House announces run for secretary of state, WDSU (April 13, 2023).
- ^ a b Littice Bacon-Blood, State Rep. Clay Schexnayder seeks re-election in 81st District, NOLA.com (September 2, 2015).
- ^ Robbie Reynold, Helmetless motorcycle law fails to pass House after drawing mixed views, WAFB (April 27, 2016).
- ^ Staff Report, Rep. Schexnayder named to Rural Caucus Executive Committee, Gonzales Weekly Citizen (April 6, 2018).
- ^ a b c Greg Hilburn, Arranging bouquets is thorny issue in Louisiana, USA Today Network/WWL-TV (March 30, 2018).
- ^ a b Effort to end Louisiana's licensing of florists falls short, Associated Press (May 1, 2018).
- ^ Matt Houston, Lawmakers approve industrial hemp, CBD product regulations, WAFB (June 5, 2019).
- ^ House Bill 491, legalizing hemp and CBD, is set to be signed by Governor, KLFY (June 6, 2019).
- ^ a b c d e Kaylee Poche, Clay Schexnayder selected as new Louisiana House speaker; see other leadership picks, Gambit (January 13, 2020).
- ^ a b c Sam Karlin, Inside Clay Schexnayder's Louisiana House speaker win, The Advocate (January 19, 2020).
- ^ a b c d Melinda Deslatte, Analysis: Clues emerge about Louisiana House speaker's style, Associated Press (February 9, 2020).
- ^ Sam Karlin, Sherman Mack endorsed by House GOP in bid for speaker -- but the process doesn't stop here, The Advocate (December 13, 2019).
- ^ a b Julie O'Donoghue, Louisiana House Speaker gives lawmakers who voted with him plum committee assignments, Louisiana Illuminator (May 2, 2022).
- ^ Melinda Deslatte, Louisiana House narrowly backs bid to limit officer immunity, Associated Press (May 11, 2021).
- ^ Melinda Deslatte, ouisiana senators refuse to limit police officer immunity, Associated Press (June 1, 2021).
- ^ Wesley Muller, https://lailluminator.com/2021/06/01/la-republicans-block-qualified-immunity-bill-setting-aside-months-of-bipartisan-work/ [La. Republicans block qualified immunity bill, setting aside months of bipartisan work], Louisiana Illuminator (June 1, 2021).
- ^ Melinda Deslatte, Analysis: Veto session would be another break from tradition, Associated Press (July 4, 2021).
- ^ a b Melinda Deslatte, Louisiana lawmakers to hold historic veto override session, Associated Press (July 16, 2021).
- ^ Melinda Deslatte, Louisiana veto session ends with no bill rejections reversed, Associated Press (July 21, 2021).
- ^ a b c d Melinda Deslatte, Louisiana House speaker ousts Democrats after veto session, Associated Press (July 30, 2021).
- ^ Louisiana Democratic leader still backs GOP House speaker, Associated Press (August 9, 2021).
- ^ a b c d Melinda Deslatte, Lawmaker loses chairman job after dispute with House speaker, Associated Press (May 26, 2021).
- ^ New Bill Signed into Law Extends the Louisiana Film Industry Until 2031 (press release), Louisiana Film Entertainment Association (June 27, 2023).
- ^ Sentell, Will (February 28, 2023). "House speaker Clay Schexnayder is the latest to mull bid for governor". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Michael Scheidt, Louisiana Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder enters race for Secretary of State, WVLA-TV (April 12, 2023).
- ^ "Official Results for Election Date: 10/14/2023 Secretary of State".