Tim Kerner
| Timothy Paul "Tim" Kerner | |
 | |
Louisiana State Representative for
District 84 (Jefferson Parish) | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Patrick Connick |
|---|---|
| Born | August 24, 1959 Place of birth missing Long-term resident of |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Darla Roias Kerner (married 1978) |
| Children | Three children |
| Alma mater | Fisher High School Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Police Academy |
| Occupation | Fisherman; sheriff's employee |
Timothy Paul Kerner, Sr., known as Tim Kerner (born August 24, 1959), is the Republican state representative for District 84 in Jefferson Parish in the suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana. On January 13, 2020, Kerner succeeded the term-limited Republican Representative Patrick Connick. To win the seat, he defeated two opponents in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 12, 2019. With 5,607 votes (51 percent), he polled more votes than his three Republican opponents combined. In second place was Chris Breaux.[1]
Kerner graduated from Fisher High School in Lafitte and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Police Academy. He formerly worked under Sheriff Harry Lee, a Democrat, who served from 1980 to 2007. He also has experience as a commercial fisherman and shrimp buyer.[2]
Previously, for seventeen years Kerner was the mayor of his hometown of Jean Lafitte, in which capacity he faced seventeen hurricane and tropical storms and an oil spill that threatened the existence of his community. The crises developed because of salt water and the vanishing Gulf of Mexico coast. As mayor, Kerner lobbied for his town and the surrounding communities and persuaded parish, state, and federal officials to invest in the area. He acquired $300 million for capital improvements, in Lafitte. These included the multi-purpose complex, library, auditorium, senior center, medical clinic, visitor center, museum, and baseball field, as well as levee, sewerage, and drainage infrastructure.[2]
Kerner lists his legislative priorities as coastal restoration, tourism, the environment, and economic growth.[2]
On October 14, 2023, Kerner stepped down from the House seat to challenge the reelection of the District 8 state Senator Patrick Connick, but he lost 52 to 48 percent.[3]
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