Charles Foti: Electoral History and Political Career
Charles Foti is a prominent figure in Louisiana politics, having served in high-ranking law enforcement and legal capacities. His political trajectory is marked by a long tenure as the Criminal Sheriff of the Parish of Orleans and a subsequent term as the Attorney General of Louisiana.
Key Facts
- Served multiple terms as Criminal Sheriff of Orleans Parish starting in 1990.
- Elected Attorney General of Louisiana in 2003.
- Maintained a strong Democratic Party affiliation throughout his electoral bids.
- Won the 2002 Sheriff's race with a commanding 71% of the vote.
- Defeated Republican Suzanne Haik Terrell to become Attorney General in 2003.
Tenure as Criminal Sheriff of Orleans Parish
Charles Foti first entered the role of Criminal Sheriff for the Parish of Orleans in 1990. In the first ballot held on February 3, 1990, Foti ran as a Democrat and defeated fellow Democrat Henry Julien Jr. to secure the office.
Following his initial victory, Foti's dominance in the region became evident. In the subsequent elections of 1994 and 1998, he ran unopposed, securing his position without a contest in both February 5, 1994, and February 7, 1998.
The 2002 election saw Foti face competition once again. On February 2, 2002, he ran against two other Democratic candidates, Morris Reed and Orlando Matthews. Foti won decisively, receiving 90,897 votes (71%), while Reed received 27,378 (22%) and Matthews received 9,014 (7%).
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Transition to Attorney General of Louisiana
In 2003, Foti transitioned from local law enforcement to state-level legal leadership. He ran for the office of Attorney General of Louisiana, the state's chief legal officer. In the first ballot on October 4, 2003, Foti secured the position with 689,179 votes (54%), defeating Republican candidate Suzanne Haik Terrell, who received 597,917 votes (46%).
Foti sought re-election as Attorney General in 2007. However, the race on October 20, 2007, resulted in a different outcome. Foti finished third with 389,568 votes (32%), trailing behind Democratic candidate James "Buddy" Caldwell (434,111 votes, 36%) and Republican Royal Alexander (395,649 votes, 32%). As a result, Foti was defeated, and the race proceeded to a runoff between Caldwell and Alexander.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Electoral Summary Table
| Year | Office | Affiliation | Result | Vote Share/Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Criminal Sheriff, Orleans Parish | Democratic | Elected | Won |
| 1994 | Criminal Sheriff, Orleans Parish | Democratic | Elected | Unopposed |
| 1998 | Criminal Sheriff, Orleans Parish | Democratic | Elected | Unopposed |
| 2002 | Criminal Sheriff, Orleans Parish | Democratic | Elected | 71% |
| 2003 | Attorney General of Louisiana | Democratic | Elected | 54% |
| 2007 | Attorney General of Louisiana | Democratic | Defeated | 32% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which political party did Charles Foti represent?
Charles Foti ran as a member of the Democratic Party in all his recorded elections.
How many times was Charles Foti elected as Criminal Sheriff of Orleans Parish?
He was elected four times, in 1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002.
Who did Charles Foti defeat to become Attorney General of Louisiana?
He defeated Republican candidate Suzanne Haik Terrell in the 2003 election.
What happened during the 2007 Attorney General election?
Charles Foti was defeated, finishing third with 32% of the vote, while James "Buddy" Caldwell and Royal Alexander advanced to a runoff.
Was Charles Foti ever unopposed in his elections?
Yes, he ran unopposed for the position of Criminal Sheriff of Orleans Parish in both 1994 and 1998.