Jerry Thomas (Louisiana politician)
| Jerry Aroe Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana State Representative from District 75 (Tangipahoa and Washington parishes) | |
|
In office 1988–1999 |
|
| Preceded by | Lawrence A. Sheridan |
| Succeeded by | Ben W. Nevers |
| Louisiana State Senator from District 12 (St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes) | |
|
In office 1999–2004 |
|
| Preceded by | Phil Short |
| Succeeded by | Ben W. Nevers |
| Coroner of Washington Parish | |
|
In office 1980–1988 |
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| Succeeded by | Roger Casama |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 23, 1953 |
| Political party | Democrat-turned-Republican (1999) |
| Spouse(s) | Lou Ann Pitre Thomas |
| Children | Four children |
| Residence |
Franklinton Washington Parish, Louisiana, USA |
| Alma mater |
Thomas High School in Franklinton |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Religion | Baptist |
Thomas High School in Franklinton
Southeastern Louisiana University
Jerry Aroe Thomas (born May 22, 1953) is a family practice physician in Franklinton, Louisiana, who served in both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature from 1988 to 2004. In 1979, at the age of twenty-six, Thomas was elected coroner of Washington Parish, the easternmost of the Florida Parishes in the southeastern portion of his state. He remained coroner from 1980 until he took his legislative seat in 1988.
Thomas was the son of Aroe Thomas (1930–1994) of Franklinton. He graduated from Thomas High School in Franklinton and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond in neighboring Tangipahoa Parish. He received his M.D. credentials from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans.
Thomas was initially elected as a Democrat to the Louisiana House of Representatives in the nonpartisan blanket primary held in October 1987. At the age of 34, Thomas unseated the long-term Democratic incumbent, Lawrence A. Sheridan of Angie in Washington Parish, who was 34 years Thomas' senior. District 75 still encompasses Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. Thomas polled 9,266 votes (60.2 percent) to Sheridan's 6,121 (39.8 percent). In 1991, Sheridan sought a comeback but again lost to Thomas by an identical percentage: 6,312 (39.8 percent) to 9,532 (60.2 percent). Sheridan had been chairman of the House Retirement Committee during much of his 28-year tenure in the House.
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Wikipedia