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  Foster Jr., M. J. "Mike"
CANDIDATE DETAILS
AffiliationRepublican  
  2000-01-10  
 
NameM. J. "Mike" Foster Jr.
Address
Franklin, Louisiana , United States
EmailNone
WebsiteNone
Born July 11, 1930
DiedOctober 04, 2020 (90 years)
ContributorRP
Last ModifedBrentinCO
Jul 11, 2021 09:12pm
Tags Air Force - Episcopalian -
InfoMurphy James "Mike" Foster, Jr.

Murphy J. "MIKE" FOSTER JR. was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. As a young man, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in chemistry. He was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force in Korea from 1952 until 1955, when he returned home to work as a sugar cane farmer. Beginning in 1987, he was elected to two terms in the state senate, where he chaired the Commerce Committee and was a member of the Transportation, Highways and Public Works, and Judiciary committees. He was president of the St. Mary Parish Farm Bureau; chairman of the Sugar Growers' Committee of the Louisiana Farm Bureau, Sterling Sugars, Inc., and Bayou Sale Contractors, Inc.; vice president of the Franklin Jaycees; and junior warden of St. Mary's Episcopal Church. His successes as governor include substantial investments in higher and postsecondary education, including additional funding of the successful TOPS scholarship program and raising faculty salaries for postsecondary teachers. Much of the state's tobacco settlement funds were put in trust for the future for health care and at-risk youth. Legislation passed that cut unemployment taxes by 20 percent, raised unemployment benefits by 20 percent, and increased the state's incumbent worker training fund from $6 million to $50 million. This fund is expected to provide upgraded training to more than 40,000 Louisiana workers a year. Governor Foster helped require mandatory minimum sentences for crimes involving a firearm and to limit product liability lawsuits against gun dealers and manufacturers. The legislature also approved his proposal requiring schoolchildren to use respectful terms in addressing their teachers. He is first vice chairman of the Southern Governors' Association. On October 23, 1999, he became the first Louisiana governor to be reelected to two consecutive terms in the past 20 years, winning 62 percent of the vote. During his second term, he is focusing on education and eradicating poverty in Louisiana.

Mike Foster is technically Murphy J. Foster III, but he uses the term "Jr." instead.


JOB APPROVAL POLLS
DateFirmApproveDisapproveDon't Know
11/04/2003-11/06/2003 Mason-Dixon 49.00% ( 0.0) 48.00% ( 0.0) 3.00% ( 0.0)

BOOKS
Title Purchase Contributor

EVENTS
Start Date End Date Type Title Contributor

NEWS
Date Category Headline Article Contributor
May 08, 2006 06:55pm News Former Gov. Mike Foster graduating from law school  Article Brandonius Maximus 
Jan 03, 2004 12:00am Analysis Foster leaves mixed legacy  Article ArmyDem 

DISCUSSION
Importance? 8.33330 Average

FAMILY
Father Murphy J. Foster, Jr. 1898-1981
Grandfather Murphy J. Foster 1849-1921

INFORMATION LINKS
RACES
  10/23/1999 LA Governor Won 62.17% (+32.64%)
  11/18/1995 LA Governor - Runoff Won 63.50% (+27.00%)
  10/21/1995 LA Governor - Initial Election Won 26.10% (+7.07%)
  09/06/1995 LA State Senate 21 - Party Switch Won 100.00% (+100.00%)
  10/19/1991 LA State Senate 21 Won 85.49% (+70.99%)
  10/24/1987 LA State Senate 21 Won 64.01% (+28.01%)
ENDORSEMENTS
LA Treasurer - Special Election - Oct 14, 2017 R Angele Davis
LA US Senate - Initial Election - Nov 08, 2016 R John N. Kennedy
LA Secretary of State - Special Election - Sep 30, 2006 R Mike Francis
LA District 07 - Runoff - Dec 04, 2004 R Charles W. Boustany, Jr.
LA US Senate - Runoff - Dec 07, 2002 R Suzanne Haik Terrell
LA US Senate - Initial Election - Nov 05, 2002 R John Cooksey
LA State Senate 23 - Oct 23, 1999 R Michael J. "Mike" Michot
LA District 1 - Special Runoff - May 29, 1999 R David C. Treen
US President - R Primaries - Jul 07, 1996 R Patrick J. "Pat" Buchanan
LA US President - R Primary - Mar 12, 1996 R Patrick J. "Pat" Buchanan
LA State Senate President - May 09, 1990 D Sammy Núñez, Jr.
LA District 8 - Initial Election - Oct 01, 1988 D J.E. Jumonville, Jr.