Jim McCrery III

James Otis McCrery III is a former American politician and lawyer who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Louisiana's 4th congressional district from 1988 until 2009. During his tenure in Congress, McCrery held significant positions, including ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee. He is noted for his contributions to legislative matters, particularly in the areas of disaster relief and social security. After leaving Congress, he transitioned into a lobbying career and has remained active in political circles.

Early life and career

Jim McCrery was born on September 18, 1949, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and spent his formative years in Leesville, the seat of Vernon Parish. He completed his secondary education at Leesville High School, graduating in 1967. Following high school, McCrery pursued higher education at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in both English and history in 1971. His academic journey continued at the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in Baton Rouge, where he obtained his law degree in 1975.

After completing his education, McCrery began his professional career as an attorney, joining the law firm of Jackson, Smith & Ford in Leesville. He worked there from 1975 until 1978, gaining valuable experience in legal practice. In January 1979, he transitioned into public service as a staff member for U.S. Representative Buddy Leach, who also hailed from Leesville. McCrery's tenure in Leach's office lasted until August 1979, when he resigned to accept a position with the Shreveport City Attorney's office.

Following his time in the city attorney's office, McCrery returned to the political arena, working as district manager and later as legislative director for Representative Buddy Roemer after Leach was unseated in 1980. In 1984, he shifted to the private sector, taking a position with Georgia Pacific Corporation, a company specializing in forest products. He remained with Georgia Pacific until he decided to run for Congress in 1988.

House tenure

McCrery entered the political fray by running for the congressional seat vacated by Buddy Roemer when Roemer became governor of Louisiana. He successfully won the election and began his first term in the House of Representatives in 1988. Over the course of his congressional career, McCrery was reelected multiple times, securing his position with increasing ease. In 1992, Louisiana underwent a redistricting process that resulted in the loss of one congressional district due to stagnant population growth. This redistricting created a new 4th District that included a significant portion of Shreveport, where McCrery had established a strong base of support.

Despite the challenges posed by the redistricting, McCrery retained a majority of his former constituents and emerged victorious against his Democratic opponent, Jerry Huckaby, marking a significant moment as he became the first Louisiana Republican to unseat a Democratic incumbent at the federal level. Over the years, McCrery faced little opposition, being completely unopposed in several elections, including those in 1996, 1998, and 2004. His district was renumbered back to the 4th District in 1997 following a Supreme Court ruling regarding racial gerrymandering.

In the 2006 mid-term elections, McCrery faced challengers from both the Democratic and Republican parties but successfully secured his seat once again. His leadership roles in Congress included serving as the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee from 2007 to 2009. This committee is one of the most influential in Congress, dealing with issues related to taxation, trade, and social security. During his time on the committee, McCrery was involved in various legislative discussions and initiatives, including those surrounding disaster relief efforts following hurricanes that impacted Louisiana.

In December 2007, McCrery announced that he would not seek reelection in 2008, concluding his congressional career after 11 terms. He was succeeded by fellow Republican John C. Fleming, who won the seat following a competitive primary process.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout his time in Congress, McCrery was known for his work on several key subcommittees within the House Ways and Means Committee. He served as chairman of the Health Select Revenue Measures subcommittee and the Social Security subcommittee, as well as being a member of the Human Resources subcommittee. His legislative efforts were particularly focused on issues related to health care, social security, and disaster assistance.

During the 109th Congress, McCrery sponsored or cosponsored six public bills that were signed into law, all of which were aimed at providing disaster mitigation and assistance in response to the devastating hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast in 2005. His involvement in these legislative efforts underscored his commitment to addressing the needs of his constituents and the broader community affected by natural disasters.

In addition to his legislative work, McCrery was an active member of the Executive Committee of the National Republican Congressional Committee and the Republican Main Street Partnership, a coalition of moderate Republicans. His participation in these organizations reflected his engagement with party leadership and his efforts to promote Republican values and policies.

Following his departure from Congress in 2009, McCrery transitioned to a career in lobbying, joining Capitol Counsel, a prominent lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. As the lead Republican at the firm, he has continued to influence policy discussions and advocate for various clients, including major corporations.

In his personal life, McCrery was married to Mary Johnette Hawkins, a former television newswoman and communications specialist. The couple has two sons. McCrery identifies as a member of the United Methodist Church and has maintained connections to Louisiana's political landscape, including a notable appointment by Governor Bobby Jindal in 2014.