Nicholas Lorusso
| Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Lorusso | |
 | |
| In office April 2007 – January 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Emile "Peppi" Bruneau, Jr. |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Stephanie Hilferty |
| Born | November 28, 1967 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Michelle Merritt Lorusso |
| Children | Nicholas, Sophia, and Katherine Lorusso |
| Residence | Lake Vista, New Orleans |
| Alma mater | University of New Orleans Louisiana State University School of Law |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Military Service
| |
| Years of service | 2001-2005 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel in the Judge Advocate General's Corps |
Nicholas Joseph Lorusso, known as Nick Lorusso (born November 28, 1967),[1] is an attorney from his native New Orleans, Louisiana, who is a Republican former state representative for District 94 in Jefferson and Orleans parishes.[2]
Background
In 1985, Lorusso graduated from Roman Catholic-affiliated Jesuit High School in New Orleans. In 1988, he received the Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of New Orleans. In 1992, he obtained theJuris Doctorate from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He is a veteran of the United States Army, with service from 2001 to 2005.[2] He was from 1992 to 1996 a lieutenant colonel in the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps.[2]
Since 2006, he has been counsel of the New Orleans law firm, Johnson, Johnson, Barrios & Yacoubian. He resides with his wife, the former Michelle Merritt, and their three children, Nicholas, Sophia, and Katherine Lorusso, in the Lake Vista neighborhood of New Orleans.[2]
Political life
Lorusso won his House seat in a special election called upon the resignation of long-term Republican Representative Charles Emile "Peppi" Bruneau, Jr. Bruneau's son, Jeb Bruneau, entered the race to succeed his father. In a low-turnout runoff contest, Lorusso defeated Jeb Bruneau, 2,592 votes (59.7 percent) to 1,751 (40.3 percent).[3]
Lorusso nearly won the representative's post outright for a full four-year term in the regular nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 20, 2007. He polled 4,470 votes (48.7 percent). In second place was the Democrat Deborah Langhoff, who received 2,638 votes (28.8 percent). A second Republican, Adrian Bruneau, another son of Peppi Bruneau, obtained 1,897 votes (20.7 percent). An Independent, William Vanderwall, Sr., held the remaining 166 votes (1.8 percent).[4] In the November 17 general election, Lorusso defeated Langhoff, 4,177 votes (62.5 percent) to 2,508 (37.5 percent).[5]
Lorusso served on these House committees: (1) Civil Law and Procedure as vice chair, (2) House and Governmental Affairs, (3) Judiciary, and (4) Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. In 2010, Lorusso was rated 94 percent by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and 100 percent from the conservative Louisiana Family Forum. In 2009, he received a 64 percent score from the Louisiana National Federation of Independent Business. In 2008, he was rated 100 percent by the Louisiana Right to Life Federation.[6]
As a candidate for reelection to a second full term in the reconfigured District 94 in the October 22 primary election, Lorusso defeated legislative colleague John LaBruzzo, who was moved from District 81. Lorusso polled 5,087 votes (56.6 percent) to LaBruzzo's 3,909 (43.5 percent).[7]
Lorusso lost his bid for a third term in the House in the primary election held on October 24, 2015. He was unseated by a Moderate Republican and member of the Louisiana Republican Fraud Squad, Stephanie Hilferty, 6,866 votes (56.2 percent) to 5,343 (43.8 percent).[8]
References
- ↑ Nicholas Lorusso. Mylife.com. Retrieved on April 2, 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Nicholas Lorusso's Biography. Project Vote Smart. Retrieved on April 2, 2020.
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, March 31, 2007.
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 17, 2007.
- ↑ Nicholas Lorusso's Ratings and Endorsements. Project Vote Smart. Retrieved on April 2, 2020.
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 2015.