{{short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Clay Schexnayder |office = Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives |term_start = January 13, 2020 |term_end = January 8, 2024 |predecessor = Taylor Barras |successor = Phillip DeVillier |state_house1 = Louisiana |district1 = 81st |term_start1 = January 9, 2012 |term_end1 = January 8, 2024 |predecessor1 = John LaBruzzo |successor1 = Jeffrey Wiley |birth_name = Clay John Schexnayder |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|2|25}} |birth_place = |death_date = |death_place = |party = Republican |signature=Clay Schexnayder Signature.png }} '''Clay John Schexnayder''' ({{IPAc-en|ʃ|eɪ|k|s|ˈ|n|iː|d|ər}}; born February 25, 1969) is an American businessman and politician from Ascension Parish, Louisiana. A Republican, he has served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2012 to 2024, and as speaker of the House from 2020 to 2024.
==Early life and education== Schexnayder is the son of Perry P. Schexnayder and the former Dorothy Ann Demars (1937–2009).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=dorothy-ann-demars-schexnayder&pid=136686888&fhid=3960|title=Dorothy Ann Demars Schexnayder|publisher=Baton Rouge Morning Advocate, November 30, 2009|accessdate=May 16, 2012}}</ref> His grandfather Harold "Pocahontas" Schexnayder was a longtime Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries game warden,<ref>Staff reports, [https://www.weeklycitizen.com/story/news/2011/07/11/schexnayder-announces-candidacy-for-state/63736489007/ Schexnayder announces candidacy for State Representative], ''Gonzales Weekly Citizen'' (July 11, 2011).</ref> and he spent much of his childhood in the Maurepas Swamp area.<ref>Mike Smith, [https://www.nola.com/news/environment/he-grew-up-in-the-swamp-now-clay-schexnayder-hopes-to-see-it-revived/article_4fbf66d8-a96e-11ed-a51d-c7581e9232c0.html He grew up in the swamp. Now Clay Schexnayder hopes to see it revived] (February 12, 2013).</ref>
In 1989, Schexnayder graduated from French Settlement High School.<ref name=Peppo>Kathleen Peppo, [https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/local/louisiana/2021/03/03/louisiana-speaker-house-clay-schexnayder-used-race-cars/6884250002/ 'It was a ride': Clay Schexnayder went from racing cars to leading the Louisiana House], LSU Manship School News Service (March 3, 2021).</ref> Two years later, he graduated from the Allen Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, where he trained as an automotive mechanic.<ref name=Peppo/>
== Career before politics== In 1998, Schexnayder opened Car Craft and Rubber Company Automotive, in Sorrento, a town in Ascension Parish, and has operated the business since that time.<ref name=Peppo/> On the side, he was a racecar driver, participating in races from 1997 to 2013 on the competition circuit in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas.<ref name=Peppo/>
==Political career== ===State House tenure before speakership (2012–2019)=== Schexnayder was first elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2011 from District 81,<ref>[https://www.wdsu.com/article/louisiana-speaker-of-the-house-clay-schexnayder-secretary-of-state/43581148 Louisiana speaker of the House announces run for secretary of state], WDSU (April 13, 2023).</ref> which encompasses parts of four parishes: Livingston, Ascension, St. James, and St. John the Baptist.<ref name=Bacon-Blood>Littice Bacon-Blood, [https://www.nola.com/news/politics/state-rep-clay-schexnayder-seeks-re-election-in-81st-district/article_818b8c9a-f7d4-537e-b565-1c79cf3a69c0.html State Rep. Clay Schexnayder seeks re-election in 81st District], NOLA.com (September 2, 2015).</ref>
In 2016, Schexnayder sponsored legislation to repeal Louisiana's motorcycle helmet law, making it legal for motorcyclists ages 21 and up to ride motorcycles without head protection; the bill failed to pass on a 48–32 vote, falling short of the 53 votes required for the bill to advance.<ref>Robbie Reynold, [https://www.wafb.com/story/31823777/helmetless-motorcycle-law-fails-to-pass-house-after-drawing-mixed-views/ Helmetless motorcycle law fails to pass House after drawing mixed views], WAFB (April 27, 2016).</ref>
In 2016, Schexnayder was named to the executive committee of the Louisiana Legislative Rural Caucus for the 2016–2017 term.<ref>Staff Report, [https://www.weeklycitizen.com/story/news/2016/04/08/rep-schexnayder-named-to-rural/32012324007/ Rep. Schexnayder named to Rural Caucus Executive Committee], ''Gonzales Weekly Citizen'' (April 6, 2018).</ref>
As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Schexnayder opposed a bill in 2018 to allow florists to work without passing a 40-question licensing exam. Louisiana is the only state that requires occupational licensing for florists. The bill, introduced by Representative Julie Emerson, was supported by Governor John Bel Edwards, and was supported by various organizations favoring occupational-licensing reform, such as Institute for Justice and Americans for Prosperity.<ref name=Hilburn>Greg Hilburn, [https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/politics/arranging-bouquets-is-thorny-issue-in-louisiana/289-533459888 Arranging bouquets is thorny issue in Louisiana], ''USA Today'' Network/WWL-TV (March 30, 2018).</ref><ref name=FloristFalls>[https://apnews.com/article/75e18bea56834153939d5ca432762c48 Effort to end Louisiana's licensing of florists falls short], Associated Press (May 1, 2018).</ref> Schexnayder defended the florist-licensure requirement, framing it as a consumer-protection measure.<ref name=Hilburn/> Despite Schexnayder's opposition, the bill passed the House committee on an 8–6 vote.<ref name=Hilburn/> However, it failed in the state Senate.<ref name=FloristFalls/>
In 2019, Schexnayder sponsored legislation to permit and regulate industrial hemp cultivation in the state, and to authorize licensed retailers to sell hemp-derived products, including cannabidiol (CBD oil); The bill passed the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Edwards.<ref>Matt Houston, [https://www.wafb.com/2019/06/05/lawmakers-approve-industrial-hemp-cbd-product-regulations/ Lawmakers approve industrial hemp, CBD product regulations], WAFB (June 5, 2019).</ref><ref>[https://www.klfy.com/local/house-bill-491-legalizing-hemp-and-cbd-is-set-to-be-signed-by-governor/ House Bill 491, legalizing hemp and CBD, is set to be signed by Governor], KLFY (June 6, 2019).</ref>
===Speaker of the state House (2020–2024)=== In January 2020, Schexnayder won the post of speaker of the House after some Democrats supported him, while most of the Republican representatives supported a different candidate for the post, Livingston Republican Sherman Mack.<ref name=Poche>Kaylee Poche, [https://www.nola.com/gambit/news/the_latest/clay-schexnayder-selected-as-new-louisiana-house-speaker-see-other-leadership-picks/article_99c7d8f6-3652-11ea-915a-fb12a2275a6d.html Clay Schexnayder selected as new Louisiana House speaker; see other leadership picks], ''Gambit'' (January 13, 2020).</ref> In the House floor vote, Schexnayder defeated Mack, 60–45, thus surpassing the 53 votes needed to win the speakership.<ref name=Poche/> Schexnayder won by winning the votes of all 35 House Democrats; 23 of the House Republicans; and two representatives with no party affiliation.<ref name=Karlin>Sam Karlin, [https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/inside-clay-schexnayders-louisiana-house-speaker-win-a-costly-misstep-a-last-minute-push-more/article_3cfff232-3938-11ea-b0ea-dfa3bf2dc099.html Inside Clay Schexnayder's Louisiana House speaker win], ''The Advocate'' (January 19, 2020).</ref><ref name=CluesEmerge>Melinda Deslatte, [https://apnews.com/article/ce44124eada4bc91742bf653a67a6f3d Analysis: Clues emerge about Louisiana House speaker's style], Associated Press (February 9, 2020).</ref> The other 45 Republicans voted for Mack.<ref name=CluesEmerge/>
The vote occurred after days of intense negotiations between Mack and Schexnayder, which eventually broke down.<ref name=Karlin/> Mack was officially endorsed by the House Republican caucus in a December 2019 vote,<ref>Sam Karlin, [https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/sherman-mack-endorsed-by-house-gop-in-bid-for-speaker----but-the/article_ee529504-1de4-11ea-80ac-8f2c4e28f9ab.html Sherman Mack endorsed by House GOP in bid for speaker -- but the process doesn't stop here], ''The Advocate'' (December 13, 2019).</ref> and the most powerful Louisiana Republicans (such as U.S. Senator John Kennedy, state Attorney General Jeff Landry and megadonor Lane Grigsby), including the members most hostile to Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards, supported Mack's candidacy<ref name=Karlin/><ref name=Poche/> Edwards urged Democratic representatives to support Schexnayder,<ref name=CluesEmerge/> and the Republicans who backed Schexnayder generally came from a more moderate wing of the party.<ref name=Poche/> Thus, although Republicans were in a strong position in the Louisiana Legislature (holding a two-thirds supermajority in the state Senate and being two votes shy of a supermajority in the state House), the split in the Republican Party allowed Democrats to retain a measure of influence within the legislature.<ref name=Poche/> In exchange for their support, Schexnayder allocated some committee chairmanships to Democrats,<ref name="O'Donoghue">Julie O'Donoghue, [https://lailluminator.com/2022/05/02/louisiana-house-speaker-gives-lawmakers-who-voted-with-him-plum-committee-assignments/ Louisiana House Speaker gives lawmakers who voted with him plum committee assignments], ''Louisiana Illuminator'' (May 2, 2022).</ref> although Republicans retained decisive majorities on all committees.<ref name=CluesEmerge/>
In May 2021, Schexnayder supported a police reform bill, which passed the House on a 53–42 vote. The bill, backed by the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, proposed new limits on qualified immunity, a doctrine that bars some victims from obtaining relief in court for police misconduct; it was the outcome of a compromise reached by a task force convened to address police misconduct.<ref>Melinda Deslatte, [https://apnews.com/article/la-state-wire-louisiana-government-and-politics-998701479b1463416ca3b50c9e2f319c Louisiana House narrowly backs bid to limit officer immunity], Associated Press (May 11, 2021).</ref> However, the bill failed to advance in the Senate.<ref>Melinda Deslatte, [https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-police-government-and-politics-17e06976acab34fff0f91366348a5a48 Louisiana senators refuse to limit police officer immunity], Associated Press (June 1, 2021).</ref><ref>Wesley Muller, https://lailluminator.com/2021/06/01/la-republicans-block-qualified-immunity-bill-setting-aside-months-of-bipartisan-work/ [La. Republicans block qualified immunity bill, setting aside months of bipartisan work], ''Louisiana Illuminator'' (June 1, 2021).</ref>
House Republicans have 68 seats in the state House, short of the 70 votes needed to override a veto.<ref name="O'Donoghue"/> In 2021, after Governor Edwards vetoed 28 bills from the previous legislative session, Schexnayder called a veto session, the first such session since Louisiana's current constitution was adopted in 1974.<ref name=RareTradition>Melinda Deslatte, [https://apnews.com/article/house-elections-government-and-politics-e01834f118ff4f7517bad79daec39ca1 Analysis: Veto session would be another break from tradition], Associated Press (July 4, 2021).</ref><ref name=HistoricVetoSession>Melinda Deslatte, [https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-louisiana-gun-politics-9650df5e82bf7d34e05e8743ae4862ae Louisiana lawmakers to hold historic veto override session], Associated Press (July 16, 2021).</ref> During the session, Republicans sought to override two of Edwards' vetoes: a veto of a bill to ban transgender girls from participating in school sports, and a veto of a bill allowing the carrying of concealed handguns without a permit, safety training, or background check.<ref name=HistoricVetoSession/> Both attempts failed: almost all House Democrats voted to sustain the vetoes, and without Democratic or independent support, Republicans failed to obtain sufficient votes to override the vetoes<ref>Melinda Deslatte, [https://apnews.com/article/sports-government-and-politics-louisiana-f0d1e34d64f675df356990f97bab22bd Louisiana veto session ends with no bill rejections reversed], Associated Press (July 21, 2021).</ref><ref name=Ousts>Melinda Deslatte, [https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-8eaa96bcc646a118a70b95a06994c2d3 Louisiana House speaker ousts Democrats after veto session], Associated Press (July 30, 2021).</ref> Schexnayder retaliated by ousting two different Democrats from committee chairmanships (Chad Brown was removed from the chairmanship of the House Insurance Committee and Vincent Pierre from the chairmanship of the Transportation Committee) and replacing them with Republicans.<ref name=Ousts/> The move left Republicans holding the chairmanship of 13 regular subject-matter committees, and Democrats holding the chairmanship of 3 committees.<ref name=Ousts/> Schexnayder also ousted Roy Daryl Adams, a no party affiliation member, from a seat on the House Appropriations Committee, and ousted Democrat C. Travis Johnson from his seat on the Transportation Committee.<ref name=Ousts/> Democrats opposed Schexnayder's decision, but continued to support him as speaker.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-40ba1186f82fd2ee32adb34dd8aae77b Louisiana Democratic leader still backs GOP House speaker], Associated Press (August 9, 2021).</ref>
In 2021, Schexnayder ousted Representative Ray Garofalo from his chairmanship of the House Education Committee as part of an intra-party Republican feud over Garofalo's support for a bill that would ban public schools or colleges from teaching that the U.S. or the State of Louisiana is "systematically racist or sexist" and ban the provision of information that "promotes divisive concepts."<ref name=Deslatte>Melinda Deslatte, [https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-education-government-and-politics-63b8c672f2765dfb7dc022ed71f0c7aa Lawmaker loses chairman job after dispute with House speaker], Associated Press (May 26, 2021).</ref> This bill was similar to bills pushed by Republicans in other states.<ref name=Deslatte/> Schexnayder asked Garofalo not to move the bill forward, but Garofalo did so anyway.<ref name=Deslatte/> Republican Mark Wright the vice chairman of the committee, became chair in Garofalo's place.<ref name=Deslatte/>
Schexnayder pushed legislation to extend Louisiana's movie production incentives for an additional eight years; the bill passed in 2023.<ref>[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-bill-signed-into-law-extends-the-louisiana-film-industry-until-2031-301864759.html New Bill Signed into Law Extends the Louisiana Film Industry Until 2031] (press release), Louisiana Film Entertainment Association (June 27, 2023).</ref>
===Campaign for secretary of state=== {{See also|2023 Louisiana elections#Secretary of State}} In 2023, Schexnayder publicly considered a potential run for governor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sentell |first1=Will |title=House speaker Clay Schexnayder is the latest to mull bid for governor |url=https://www.nola.com/news/politics/clay-schexnayder-considers-run-for-louisiana-governor/article_fec57850-b7a3-11ed-ad0c-37c0ecdef3ab.html |publisher=The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231120030449/https://www.nola.com/news/politics/clay-schexnayder-considers-run-for-louisiana-governor/article_fec57850-b7a3-11ed-ad0c-37c0ecdef3ab.html |archive-date=20 November 2023 |date=28 February 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In April 2023, after Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced he would not seek reelection, Schexnayder announced he would run for the position, and said he had raised $900,000 for his campaign.<ref>Michael Scheidt, [https://www.brproud.com/news/your-local-election-hq/louisiana-speaker-of-the-house-clay-schexnayder-enters-race-for-secretary-of-state/ Louisiana Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder enters race for Secretary of State], WVLA-TV (April 12, 2023).</ref> He finished fourth in the jungle primary, with 14.69% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/static/2023-10-14/resultsRegion/63502|title=Official Results for Election Date: 10/14/2023 Secretary of State}}</ref>
== Personal life == Schexnayder and his wife, Phoebe (née Keller),<ref name=Bacon-Blood/> have four children and several grandchildren.<ref name=Peppo/>
==References== {{reflist}} {{s-start}} {{s-par|us-la-hs}} {{s-bef|before=John LaBruzzo}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives<br>from the 81st district|years=2012–2024}} {{s-aft|after=Jeffrey Wiley}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Taylor Barras}} {{s-ttl|title=Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives|years=2020–2024}} {{s-aft|after=Phillip DeVillier}} {{s-end}}
{{SpeakerLAHouse}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schexnayder, Clay}} Category:1969 births Category:Businesspeople from Louisiana Category:Living people Category:Republican Party members of the Louisiana House of Representatives Category:People from Ascension Parish, Louisiana Category:People from Livingston Parish, Louisiana Category:Racing drivers from Louisiana Category:Speakers of the Louisiana House of Representatives Category:21st-century members of the Louisiana State Legislature