Familiarity with capital assists Cazayoux
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State Rep. Don Cazayoux already knows Washington. The New Roads Democrat spent two years in the nation’s capital while attending law school at Georgetown University.
“People were so interested in the world, the conversations were stimulating,” he said. “It broadened my horizon.”
The 44-year-old attorney hopes to return to the District of Columbia, this time as a U.S. congressman representing Louisiana’s 6th District.
Cazayoux said while he enjoyed his time in Washington, his yearning for small-town life — and hunting and fishing — caused him to return to his birthplace.
“I had friends that I’ve known since I was born,” he said. “And I thought that was a good environment to raise a family.”
He grew up the oldest of five children. His father was a high school teacher and coach and his mother taught elementary school.
Cazayoux married his high school sweetheart and has three children. He eventually opened his own law practice in New Roads. He said his work as an attorney and assistant prosecutor in Pointe Coupee Parish led him into politics.
“You do more free work in a small-town practice as you do paid work, helping people negotiate the bureaucracy,” Cazayoux said. “I just saw the Legislature as a way to help people on a very personal level.”
He was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1999. Partly fueling his desire to go to Congress is what he views as a chance to work with the congressional delegation to promote issues critical to Louisiana.
“I enjoy the teamwork aspect,” he said. “When I was a prosecutor, you prosecuted as a team with the detectives, forensic experts, witnesses. You have to be on the same page and work together.”
John Burleigh has known Cazayoux since grade school. The Prairieville pharmaceutical salesman said his friend has always been at the forefront.
“He’s always been the go-to guy,” said Burleigh, a Republican. “He’s always been a leader in any group we’ve been in because of his ability to see things from other people’s point of view.”
