# Buddy Leach

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American politician (1934–2022)

Buddy Leach Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party In office January 31, 2010 – April 28, 2012 Preceded by Chris Whittington Succeeded by Karen Carter Peterson Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 4th district In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981 Preceded by Joe D. Waggonner Succeeded by Buddy Roemer Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the Allen, Beauregard, and Vernon parishes In office 1968–1979 Preceded by Bert A. Adams Succeeded by William H. West In office 1984–1988 Preceded by William H. West Succeeded by John R. Smith Personal details Born Anthony Claude Leach Jr. (1934-03-30)March 30, 1934 Leesville, Louisiana, U.S. Died August 6, 2022(2022-08-06) (aged 88) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. Party Democratic Education Louisiana State University (BA, JD) Occupation Businessman; attorney Military service Branch/service United States Army Years of service 1956–1959

**Anthony Claude Leach Jr.**, known as **Buddy Leach** (March 30, 1934 – August 6, 2022), was an American businessman, lawyer, military veteran, and [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) politician from [Louisiana](/source/Louisiana). From 1979 to 1981, he served one term as a [U.S. representative](/source/United_States_House_of_Representatives) for [Louisiana's 4th congressional district](/source/Louisiana's_4th_congressional_district). He also served as a member of the [Louisiana House of Representatives](/source/Louisiana_House_of_Representatives) and as chairman of the [Louisiana Democratic Party](/source/Louisiana_Democratic_Party).

In [2003](/source/2003_Louisiana_gubernatorial_election), Leach was an unsuccessful candidate for [governor of Louisiana](/source/Governor_of_Louisiana) in an election won by [Kathleen Blanco](/source/Kathleen_Blanco).[1][2]

## Early life, education, and career

Leach was born in [Leesville](/source/Leesville%2C_Louisiana) in [Vernon Parish](/source/Vernon_Parish%2C_Louisiana) in western Louisiana. He graduated from [Leesville High School](/source/Leesville_High_School) in 1951. In that same year, Leach entered [Louisiana State University](/source/Louisiana_State_University), from which he earned his Bachelor of Science. In 1954, Leach was diagnosed with [polio](/source/Polio). He suffered from temporary [paralysis](/source/Paralysis) but eventually recovered from the disease.[3]

After attending college, Leach served in the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) from 1956 to 1959. He returned to higher education for law school and, in 1963, he obtained his [Juris Doctor](/source/Juris_Doctor) from the [Louisiana State University Law Center](/source/Louisiana_State_University_Law_Center) in [Baton Rouge](/source/Baton_Rouge). In 1964, he was admitted to the [Louisiana State Bar Association](/source/Louisiana_State_Bar_Association) and began a law practice in Leesville.[1]

After his father Anthony Leach, Sr. died, "Buddy" Leach began running the family [plumbing](/source/Plumbing) business. Leach sold the business after finding new jobs for all of the employees.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

He later became president and CEO of Sweet Lake Land and Oil Company and North American Land Company in [Lake Charles](/source/Lake_Charles%2C_Louisiana) in [Calcasieu Parish](/source/Calcasieu_Parish%2C_Louisiana) in southwestern Louisiana.[3]

## State and U.S. House of Representatives

Leach joined the Democratic Party, which through the mid-20th century was dominated in Louisiana by conservative white members.

In 1968, Leach was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. In his first term, he served in a two-member district with fellow Democrat E. Holman Jones of [Oakdale, Allen Parish](/source/Oakdale%2C_Louisiana). Leach was reelected in 1972 and 1976.

In 1979, he gave up his seat to run for U.S. Representative from [Louisiana's 4th congressional district](/source/Louisiana's_4th_congressional_district) and was victorious. His election was marred by the disclosure that he purchased hundreds of votes with moon pies and RC Colas but the majority in the House of Representatives(Democrats) certified him as a member anyway. Then in 1980, he was unseated by fellow Democrat [Buddy Roemer](/source/Buddy_Roemer) of [Bossier Parish](/source/Bossier_Parish%2C_Louisiana).[4] Roemer later shifted to the Republican Party, a pattern increasingly followed by conservative whites in the state.

In 1983, Leach sought to regain his former state legislative seat.[5] He defeated incumbent Democrat, [William H. West](/source/William_H._West_(Louisiana_politician)). In his last term as a state legislator, Leach served on the House Ways and Means Committee. In this capacity, he recommended that a tax be placed on foreign oil processed within the state.[1][3]

## Campaign for governor

Main article: [2003 Louisiana gubernatorial election](/source/2003_Louisiana_gubernatorial_election)

In 2003, Leach launched his gubernatorial campaign, seeking a runoff berth in a crowded field. He campaigned on changing the operations of state government. He suggested that the state use a "brillo pad" to "scrub the budget." Having been diagnosed with polio at a young age, the topic of health care in Louisiana was one of his main priorities. Many young voters were attracted to his campaign's message. He had teams of volunteers set up in [Shreveport](/source/Shreveport%2C_Louisiana), [Baton Rouge](/source/Baton_Rouge), and [New Orleans](/source/New_Orleans).[3] Many other candidates were in the race, including Democrats [Kathleen Blanco](/source/Kathleen_Blanco), the [lieutenant governor](/source/Lieutenant_Governor_of_Louisiana); and [Richard Ieyoub](/source/Richard_Ieyoub), the outgoing [state attorney general](/source/Attorney_General_of_Louisiana).

Republicans ran [Bobby Jindal](/source/Bobby_Jindal) as their candidate. Leach came in fourth place in the blanket primary behind Kathleen Blanco, Bobby Jindal, the top two finishers, and [Richard Ieyoub](/source/Richard_Ieyoub). Kathleen Blanco went on to win the general election over Republican Jindal.

## Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party

In 2010, Leach was elected chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party in a special election.[6] During his tenure as chairman, the party struggled to field candidates for statewide offices. This was a contrast from when Leach first entered politics in what was then an overwhelmingly Democratic state dominated by conservative whites. Before the late 1960s, African Americans were still largely [disenfranchised](/source/Disfranchisement_after_Reconstruction_era) in the state, totally excluded from politics, as they had been since 1898.[7]

The party was unable to find a well-funded candidate to run in 2011 against Governor Bobby Jindal. For the first time since [Reconstruction](/source/Reconstruction_Era), Democrats lost both houses of the state legislature to Republicans. On April 28, 2012, Leach lost his reelection bid as state party chair to State Senator [Karen Carter Peterson](/source/Karen_Carter_Peterson) of New Orleans.[2]

## Personal life

Leach's younger sister, [Carolyn Leach Huntoon](/source/Carolyn_Huntoon), served as director of the [Johnson Space Center](/source/Johnson_Space_Center) from 1994 to 1996, and was an assistant secretary in the [U.S. Department of Energy](/source/U.S._Department_of_Energy) from 1999 to 2001. Leach's children include his eldest daughter, Mary Leach Werner (born January 1968), who has followed him into politics. She was an unsuccessful candidate for the [Louisiana Public Service Commission](/source/Louisiana_Public_Service_Commission) in 2016 for the seat held by the late [Clyde C. Holloway](/source/Clyde_C._Holloway), a former U.S. representative from [Louisiana's 8th congressional district](/source/Louisiana's_8th_congressional_district), since disbanded. She was defeated by [Mike Francis](/source/Mike_Francis_(politician)) of [Lafayette](/source/Lafayette%2C_Louisiana), a former [Louisiana Republican Party](/source/Louisiana_Republican_Party) state chairman.[8]

### Death

Leach died from heart failure in Baton Rouge on August 6, 2022, aged 88.[9][4]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Biography_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Biography_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Biography_1-2) ["Leach, Anthony Claude, Jr"](http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=L000167). *Biographical Directory of the United States Congress*. Retrieved February 6, 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Anderson_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Anderson_2-1) Anderson, Ed (April 29, 2012). ["Karen Carter Peterson ousts Buddy Leach as leader of Louisiana Democratic Party"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120520203810/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/04/karen_carter_peterson_ousts_bu.html). *[New Orleans Times-Picayune](/source/New_Orleans_Times-Picayune)*. No. Saint Tammany Edition. p. A1. Archived from [the original](http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/04/karen_carter_peterson_ousts_bu.html) on May 20, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Capitol_Watch_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Capitol_Watch_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Capitol_Watch_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Capitol_Watch_3-3) Hasten, Mike. ["Leach wants to clean up state budget"](http://capitolwatch.reallouisiana.com/html/C7486D32-F38B-4971-9B03-C18D4A9A106C.shtml). *Capitol Watch*. Louisiana Gannet News. Retrieved February 6, 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-apnews.com_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-apnews.com_4-1) ["Congressman and Louisiana House member Buddy Leach dies"](https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-john-bel-edwards-obituaries-congress-37c999d7bd02b6fc68c1e087dc10f5d1). *Associated Press*. August 7, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** "Leach will try again for La. House seat", *Minden Press-Herald*, March 23, 1983, p. 1.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Associated_Press_6-0)** Deslatte, Melinda. ["Louisiana Democratic Party chairman wants to retain post"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131213032154/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/03/louisiana_democratic_party_cha_1.html). Associated Press. Archived from [the original](http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/03/louisiana_democratic_party_cha_1.html) on December 13, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Rebuild_7-0)** Deslatte, Melinda. ["Louisiana Democrats look to rebuild grassroots base"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111223005837/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/12/louisiana_democrats_look_to_re.html). Associated Press. Archived from [the original](http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/12/louisiana_democrats_look_to_re.html) on December 23, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Election Returns"](https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical). [Louisiana Secretary of State](/source/Louisiana_Secretary_of_State). November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Buddy Leach, who served in Congress and the state House, dies at 88"](https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_dc72e610-165a-11ed-9fba-33102024f7f7.html). [The Advocate](/source/The_Advocate_(Louisiana)). August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.

Political offices Preceded by Bert A. Adams Louisiana State Representative for Allen, Beauregard, and Vernon parishes 1968–1979 Succeeded by William H. West Preceded by William H. West Louisiana State Representative for Beauregard, Vernon, and part of Rapides parishes 1984–1988 Succeeded by John R. Smith U.S. House of Representatives Preceded by Joe Waggonner Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 4th congressional district 1979–1981 Succeeded by Buddy Roemer

v t e United States representatives from Louisiana 1st district E. Livingston White H. Johnson White Slidell La Sére St. Martin Dunbar Eustis Bouligny Sypher Lawrence Gibson Hunt St. Martin Wilkinson Meyer Estopinal O'Connor Fernández Hébert Tonry B. Livingston Vitter Jindal Scalise 2nd district Gurley Thomas Ripley Chinn Dawson la Branche Thibodeaux Conrad Bullard J. A. Landry Hunt Taylor Mann Sheldon Ellis Hahn Wallace Lagan Coleman Lagan Davey Buck Davey Gilmore Dupré Spearing Maloney H. Boggs Maloney H. Boggs L. Boggs Jefferson Cao Richmond Carter 3rd district Brent Overton Bullard Garland J. Moore Dawson Harmanson Penn Perkins Davidson Newsham Darrall Acklen Darrall Kellogg Gay Price Broussard Martin Montet Mouton Domengeaux Willis Caffery Treen Tauzin Melançon J. M. Landry Boustany Higgins 4th district Bossier Morse J. Moore Jones Sandidge Landrum Vidal Newsham McCleery Boarman Smith Levy Elam Blanchard Ogden Breazeale Watkins Sandlin Brooks Waggonner Leach Roemer McCrery Fields McCrery Fleming M. Johnson 5th district Blackburn Morey Spencer Leonard Young King Newton Boatner Baird Ransdell Elder Wilson Mills McKenzie Passman Huckaby McCrery Cooksey Alexander McAllister Abraham Letlow 6th district Nash E. Robertson Lewis Irion E. Robertson S. Robertson Favrot Wickliffe Morgan Sanders Sr. Favrot Kemp Sanders Jr. Griffith Sanders Jr. Morrison Rarick H. Moore Baker Cazayoux Cassidy Graves Fields 7th district Pujo Lazaro De Rouen Plauché Larcade Thompson Edwards Breaux Hayes John Boustany 8th district Aswell Overton Dear Allen G. S. "Doc" Long McSween G. W. Long S. Long G. W. Long C. Long Holloway At-large Robertson Butler Johnston Sheridan Territory Clark Poydras

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Buddy Leach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Leach) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Leach?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.