Stephen Scalise

Steve Scalise has served as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the First Congressional District of Louisiana, since 2008. He was first elected in a special election on May 3, 2008, when he defeated Gilda Reed (D) in a special election to replace former Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-Lou.), who vacated his seat to become Governor. On November 4, 2008, Scalise defeated Democratic challenger Jim Harlan by a comfortable margin.

Immigration
Scalise opposes amnesty for illegal aliens, and on his campaign Web site, he says he "will fight to seal our borders with better security and stronger enforcement of existing laws."

Taxes
Scalise signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, and on his campaign Web site, he says he "has never voted for a tax increase and never will."

Coastal restoration
Scalise supports funding for the restoration of coastal wetlands, which he calls "the first line of defense against hurricanes" on his campaign Web site. He also says he will fight to secure funding for 100-year flood protection and a greater share of offshore oil revenues.

Abortion
On his campaign Web site, Scalise says he is "pro-life and has a 100 percent pro-life voting record with the Louisiana Right to Life Federation."

Marriage
Scalise helped write Louisiana's constitutional amendment that prohibits same-sex marriage as well as civil unions. The amendment was passed September 18, 2004, and was upheld by the Louisiana State Supreme Court in early 2005.

Bio
Scalise was born October 6, 1965, in New Orleans. He graduated from Louisiana State University and has worked as a software engineer and a technology company marketing executive. He was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1995 to 2007 and a member of the Louisiana Senate in 2008. He and his wife, former Jennifer Letulle, have a daughter.

2008 elections
On May 3, Scalise defeated Gilda Reed (D) in a special election to replace former Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-Lou.), who vacated his seat to become Governor. As an incumbent, Scalise is seeking the Republican nomination to retain his seat in the November general election.

Related SourceWatch articles

 * 2008 U.S. congressional elections
 * 2008 U.S. congressional election dates
 * Portal:Louisiana and the U.S. Congress