Chuck Kleckley

Chuck Kleckley
67th Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives
In office
January 9, 2012 – January 11, 2016
Preceded byJim Tucker
Succeeded byTaylor Barras
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 36th district
In office
February 16, 2005 – January 11, 2016
Preceded byDan Flavin
Succeeded byMark Abraham
Personal details
Born
Charles Edward Kleckley

December 1959
Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Alma materMcNeese State University (BS)
OccupationPolitician, Businessman

Charles "Chuck" Kleckley is an American politician who represented District 36 of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2005 to 2016 and served as the 67th Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2012 to 2016.[1][2]

Kleckley was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and graduated from LaGrange High School.[3] He earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from McNeese State University in 1993. In recognition of his achievements and contributions, McNeese State University conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the 160th commencement ceremony.[4]

Prior to his election to the Louisiana House of Representatives, Kleckley served on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury from 2000 to 2005 and was its president in 2003.[5] During his tenure in the House, he chaired the House Insurance Committee and was a member of numerous commissions, councils, and committees including the State Bond Commission, Revenue Estimating Conference, Joint Committee on the Budget, and Joint Capital Outlay and House Executive Committees.[6]

Kleckley was a strong supporter of road improvements in Southwest Louisiana and worked to enhance the transportation system. He advocated for higher education, improved Louisiana’s insurance and business climate, and protected healthcare funding. He also led efforts to secure state funding for a new Health and Human Performance Education Complex at McNeese State University that opened in 2018.[7]

In 2012, there was an attempt to recall Kleckley from office due to his support for public education reforms. The effort failed to collect enough signatures.[8] He then asked that the Ethics Board not impose fines on the teachers for their attempt.[9]

  1. ^ Daigle, Adam (2019-11-04). "Lafayette-based The Picard Group hires former House speaker Chuck Kleckley". The Advocate. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  2. ^ Bridges, Tyler (2013-04-05). "Once called governor's 'lap dog,' House speaker yanks on his leash". The Lens NOLA. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  3. ^ "Chuck Kleckley". The Picard Group. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  4. ^ "Chuck Kleckley Receives Honorary Doctorate From McNeese". McNeese State University. 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  5. ^ "Charles Kleckley". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "McNeese confers honorary doctorate on former Speaker of the House Kleckley". American Press. 9 April 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "McNeese confers honorary doctorate on former Speaker of the House Kleckley". American Press. 12 May 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "Speaker Kleckley responds to teacher recall efforts". KPLCTV. 2012-04-16. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  9. ^ bureau, Capitol news (2012-11-15). "Kleckley: Waive fine on teachers in recall". The Advocate. Retrieved 2024-02-18. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)