Ray Garofalo

Raymond Edward "Ray" Garofalo, Jr.
Garofalo Receiving the Louisiana Family Forum Outstanding Family Advocate Award
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 103rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2012
Preceded by	Reed S. Henderson
Personal details
Born	September 1958 (1958-09) (age 63)
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Joan Seibert Garofalo
Residence	Meraux, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, US
Alma mater	Loyola University New Orleans Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
Occupation	Commercial Developer, Attorney

Raymond Edward Garofalo, Jr., known as Ray Garofalo (born September 1958),^[1] is a commercial developer and non-practicing attorney from Meraux, St. Bernard Parish in suburban New Orleans, Louisiana,^[2] who is a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 103, which encompasses primarily St. Bernard Parish and four precincts each from Orleans and Plaquemines parishes.

Garofalo's parents are Raymond, Sr., and Jean Garofalo; paternal grandparents, Anthony and Mary Maggio Garofalo. His father was a career officer in the United States Navy. He graduated from the Roman Catholic Holy Cross High School,^[2] Loyola University New Orleans and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.^[3] Garofalo resides with his wife, the former Joan Seibert, in Meraux.

Garofalo won the state House position in the general election held on November 19, 2011, when he defeated Democrat Chad Lauga, 7,153 (53.3 percent) to 6,262 (46.7 percent).^[4] The incumbent Democrat Reed S. Henderson did not seek reelection.

In his first term Garofalo was assigned to the House (1) Civil Law and Procedure, (2) Judiciary, and (3) Natural Resources and Environment committees.^[2] The rated Garofalo 89 percent, with a 78 percent score for the 2013 session alone.^[5] In the 2012, session Garofalo was the subject of an ultimately unsuccessful recall by professional educators in his district who object to his conservative House votes on issues related to school vouchers and education reform which had been popular positions shown in public opinion polls during the 2011 election period.

In his second term, Garofalo was appointed Chairman of the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure. Garofalo also served on the Louisiana Law Institute Council (LSLIC), Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Financing Corporation, the Governor's Coastal Advisory Commission, the Louisiana International Gulf Transfer Terminal (LIGTT) Board, and the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB).

Support for the Marriage and Conscience Act[]

On May 19, 2015, Garofalo was the only other member of the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee to support the proposed Marriage and Conscience Act, authored by Republican Representative Mike Johnson of Bossier Parish and strongly supported by the conservative Louisiana Family Forum. A public opinion poll by the Metairie, Louisiana research firm Multi-Quest in Garofalo's legislative district also revealed the bill was very popular among his constituency. Governor Bobby Jindal, who supported the legislation, then issued an executive order to implement the measure. Johnson said that he will in 2016, if he is reelected, re-introduce the measure because he prefers a statutory law to address the issue. Johnson explained that the measure is designed to block the state government from pulling licenses or tax benefits from a company because of the owner's counter view of same-sex marriage. Four Republicans voted to table the bill, Nancy Landry of Lafayette, Gregory A. Miller of Norco, Mike "Pete" Huval of Breaux Bridge, and Clay Schexnayder of Gonzales, who voted to table on a 10–2 vote. Among Democrats who opposed the measure were committee chairman Neil Abramson and Joseph Bouie, Jr., both of New Orleans, Patrick O. Jefferson of Arcadia, and of Baton Rouge,^[6] who died three months later.

Controversy over slavery[]

Promoting a bill he proposed which would ban the teaching of critical race theory in public school classrooms, Rep. Garofalo said “If you’re having a discussion on whatever the case may be, slavery, then you can talk about everything dealing with slavery, the good, the bad, the ugly”. Garofalo was immediately rebuked by fellow Republican Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, who replied "There's no good to slavery, though." Then, many of the attendees of the meeting laughed. Garofalo Jr. then repeated the phrase "whatever the case may be". Rep. Garofalo then sought to voluntarily defer the legislation for another date, after a substitute motion was filed to involuntarily defer the bill, a rare move that would have removed the bill from consideration during session. The substitute motion ultimately failed on a 7-7 tie vote, and Garofolo voluntarily withdrew the bill following no further objections, leaving the potential for reintroduction in the future open. ^[7][8] As the controversy continued, on May 17 Garofalo was removed as chair of House Education Committee by the Speaker of the House, Clay Schexnayder.

2015 reelection[]

Garofalo greeting President Donald Trump in January 2020

Though he led a four-candidate field in the October 24, 2015 primary election for the state House, Garofalo fell short of outright victory and faced a runoff election on November 21. In the primary, he polled 4,588 votes (39.2 percent). Democrat Casey Hunnicutt finished second with 2,597 votes (22.2 percent). Two other candidates, Democrat Leola Anderson and Republican George Cavignac, received 2,275 (19.4 percent) and 1,244 (19.2 percent), respectively.^[9]

Garofalo subsequently won the general election over Hunnicutt, 6,562 (51.9 percent) to 6,079 (48.1 percent).^[10]

In January, 2016, beginning his second term, Garofalo was appointed by Speaker of the House Taylor Barras to serve as Chairman of the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure, a position he currently holds.

In 2016, Garofalo publicly supported the candidacy of Donald Trump for the U.S. Presidency.^{[citation needed]}

References[]