House Speaker Pro Tempore Joel Robideaux of Lafayette has joined the Republican Party. Robideaux, an independent who was elected to the Legislature in 2004, says he simply believes he can “do the most good by aligning [himself] with the party.” Robideaux is making a run to become speaker of the House, now that Jim Tucker, R-Terrytown, is term limited. There’s been talk that Robideaux is trying to forge an alliance with Rep. Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro. Under that deal, Robideaux would become speaker while Fannin would hold on to his seat as appropriations committee chairman. But some suspected that House Republicans would balk at making an independent and a Democrat the top two leaders in the lower chamber. Robideaux’s move gives Republicans control of 57 seats in the House, which has 105 members.
Robideaux joins Republican Party
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