Norby Chabert

Norbert Nolty Chabert, known as Norby Chabert (born November 28, 1975),^[1] is a former political consultant^[2] from Houma, Louisiana, who is a Republican member of the Louisiana State Senate from District 20 in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. Since 2009, he has held the same seat occupied from 1980 to 1991 by his late father, Leonard J. Chabert, and from 1992 to 1996 by his older brother, Marty James Chabert, both Democrats.^[3]

Background

Chabert's parents, Leonard Chabert and the former Viona Lapeyrouse, were born in Chauvin in Terrebonne Parish. He was born and reared on the banks of Bayou Petite Caillou in the community of Lil Caillou in Terrebonne Parish. He graduated in 1994 from South Terrebonne High School in Bourg.^[4]

In 2001, Norby Chabert received his Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.^[2] Prior to his entering the Senate, he was a political consultant, a businessman, and as associate director of marketing at Nicholls State. He is affiliated with Rotary International and the Chamber of Commerce. An active sportsman, he is single and resides in "Old Houma" near Maple Avenue Park. He describes his religious views as "Christian."^[4]

Political career

Norbert Chabert himself was a Democrat until March 2011, when that same month he joined Jody Amedee of Gonzales in switching to GOP allegiance. The changes produced a numerical Republican majority in the upper legislative chamber. The preceding year, nearly 47 percent of Chabert's constituents who voted in the special election cast ballots for the defeated Republican candidate.^[5] Chabert won the Senate seat in special election in the summer of 2009 to succeed Democrat Reggie Paul Dupre, Jr.^[3] Chabert ran second in the contest with 4,359 votes (32.6 percent). Republican Brent Callais led with 5,055 votes (37.8 percent). A second Democrat, Damon J. Baldone polled the critical 3,957 votes (29.6 percent).^[6] In the second round of balloting, Chabert defeated Callais, 9,576 (54.3 percent) to 8,050 (45.7 percent).^[5]

In 2010, Chabert voted to require sonograms for women contemplating abortion. He vote against allowing insurance companies to cover elective abortions. Chabert voted to impose penalties to those participating in cockfighting. He supported making the state tobacco tax permanent.^[7] In 2010, Chabert voted 55 percent of the time with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. The Louisiana Family Forum gave him a 78 percent rating.^[8] In 2011, Chabert voted against the congressional redistricting bill because Houma and Thibodaux have been split between the First and Third districts.^[9]

Chabert ran unopposed for a second term in the Senate in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 22, 2011. He won his third Senate term in 2015 with 11,921 votes (51.1 percent) in a race against his fellow Republican Michael "Mike" Fesi, who polled 9,944 votes (42.6 percent). The remaining 1,456 ballots (6.2 percent) went to the No-Party candidate, Mark Atzenhoffer. ^[10]

On February 2, 2013, the Chaberts, Leonard J., Marty J., and Norbert N., were inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield, along with several other individuals, including former Sheriff Leonard R. "Pop" Hataway of Grant Parish, the late State Senator Charles C. Barham, and George Dement, the former mayor of Bossier City.^[11]

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