Joel Robideaux (born October 5, 1962) is an American politician and accountant who served as the Mayor-President of Lafayette Parish from 2016 to 2020.[1] He was previously a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, representing the 45th district from 2004 to 2016,[2] and served as Speaker pro tempore of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2012 to 2016.[3]

Joel Robideaux
Mayor-President of Lafayette Parish
In office
January 4, 2016 – January 6, 2020
Preceded byJoey Durel
Succeeded byJosh Guillory
Speaker pro tempore of the Louisiana House of Representatives
In office
January 11, 2012 – January 13, 2016
Preceded byKaren Carter Peterson
Succeeded byWalt Leger III
Member of the [[Louisiana House of Representatives House of Representatives|Louisiana House of Representatives House of Representatives]]
from the 45th district
In office
2004–2016
Preceded byMert Smiley
Succeeded byJean-Paul Coussan
Personal details
Born (1962-10-05) October 5, 1962 (age 61)
Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBobette
Children3
EducationUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette (BS)
ProfessionAccountant

Early life and education edit

Robideaux was born in Lafayette, Louisiana.[4] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.[5]

Career edit

Robideaux began his career as an accountant.[6] In 2004, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, where he served for twelve years. During his tenure, he was known for his work on fiscal policy and tax reform.[7]

In 2015, Robideaux ran for the position of Mayor-President of Lafayette Parish. He won the election and served from January 2016 to January 2020.[8] As Mayor-President, he focused on economic development, infrastructure improvement, and public safety.[9] One of his major achievements was managing the city's response to the 2016 flood.[10] He also led the initiative for a $100 million replacement of the Heymann Center.[11]

Robideaux faced challenges, including controversies over police department pay raises and vetoing funding for the Louisiana Avenue extension.[10]

Personal life edit

Robideaux is married to Bobette, and they have three children.[12]

References edit

  1. ^ "Lafayette Mayor-President". Lafayette Consolidated Government. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  2. ^ "Louisiana House of Representatives". Louisiana House of Representatives. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  3. ^ "House Speaker". Louisiana House of Representatives. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  4. ^ "Biography". Louisiana State Legislature. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  5. ^ "Alumni". University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "Joel Robideaux". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "Robideaux on Fiscal Policy". The Advocate. November 13, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "Robideaux Wins Mayor-President Election". The Advocate. November 24, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  9. ^ "Robideaux's Mayoral Goals". The Advocate. November 25, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux reflects on his time in office". Cypress Lake Wire. January 5, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  11. ^ "Joel Robideaux spearheads plan for $100 million Heymann Center". The Current. October 4, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  12. ^ "Personal Life". The Advertiser. November 24, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2024.

External links edit