The political arena buzzed with anticipation Wednesday as Steve Scalise, the seasoned representative of Louisiana’s 1st congressional district, was nominated for the esteemed position of Speaker of the House by his Republican peers.
Stephen Joseph Scalise, born in New Orleans in 1965, has steadily risen in the political realm, serving the U.S. House of Representatives since May 3, 2008.
New Orleans Roots
Raised in Jefferson parish, Scalise grew up hearing tales of his Sicilian great-grandparents who migrated to New Orleans and opened a grocery store. An alumnus of Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie and Louisiana State University (LSU), Scalise majored in computer science and minored in political science. At LSU, he also engaged in student politics and began his association with the Republican party.
Personal Life
A practicing Roman Catholic, Scalise married Jennifer Ann Letulle in 2005, with whom he has two children.
He’s an ardent supporter of the New Orleans Saints and LSU’s sports teams.
Professional Journey
Starting with the Louisiana House of Representatives (1995-2007) and then a brief stint in the Louisiana State Senate in 2008, Scalise made his way to the national stage.
In the U.S. House, he served roles like the majority whip from 2014 to 2019 and the minority whip in the 116th Congress. By November 2022, he was elected the House Majority Leader for the 118th Congress.
Health and Personal Resilience
In August 2023, Scalise revealed a diagnosis of blood cancer, which he described as “very treatable.” He began treatment and expressed his intention to continue his duties without resignation, emphasizing his commitment to his role as House Majority Leader.
