Reggie Bagala

American politician (1965–2020)

Reggie Bagala

Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 54th district
In office January 13, 2020 – April 9, 2020
Preceded by	Jerry "Truck" Gisclair
Succeeded by	Joseph Orgeron

Personal details
Born	Reggie Paul Bagala (1965-07-08)July 8, 1965
Died	April 9, 2020(2020-04-09) (aged 54) Raceland, Louisiana, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Marissa
Children	1
Alma mater	Louisiana State University
Signature

Reggie Paul Bagala^[1]^[2] (July 8, 1965 – April 9, 2020) was an American politician who served in the Louisiana House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party for four months.

Early life and education

Bagala was born on July 8, 1965, and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1989.^[3]^[4]

Career

From 2014 to 2017, Bagala served as the Lafourche Parish administrator and as director of the Office of Community Services before being fired by Lafourche Parish President Jimmy Cantrelle after Bagala refused to call council members about an insurance policy. However, he was hired by the council to serve as its auditor.^[5] He later filed a lawsuit against Cantrelle for violating his First Amendment rights, but his lawsuit was dismissed in 2019.^[6]

In 2019, Bagala was elected to represent the open 54th district in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Incumbent Representative Jerry "Truck" Gisclair, a Democrat, was term-limited and could not seek re-election.^[7]

Death

On April 1, 2020, Bagala tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized in Raceland, Louisiana.^[8] On April 9, Bagala died at the age of 54.^[9] On July 11, a special election was held to replace the vacancy in the House of Representatives created by Bagala's death in which Joseph Orgeron won.^[10]^[11]

References

^ "Coronavirus Live Updates: Jobless Claims Surpass 16 Million; Aid Package Stalls in Senate". The New York Times. April 10, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
^ "Reggie Bagala's Biography".
^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Reggie P. Bagala". www.ourcampaigns.com.
^ "Louisiana lawmaker Reggie Bagala dies after battle with coronavirus". April 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020.
^ "Candidates for state House District 54 tout experience, pledge coastal protection". September 9, 2019. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020.
^ "Judge dismisses suit over firing". February 25, 2019. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020.
^ "Reggie Bagala wins state House District 54 seat". October 12, 2019. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020.
^ "LOUISIANA STATE REP. REGGIE BAGALA DIES AGE 54 AMID BATTLE WITH CORONAVIRUS". April 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020.
^ "Louisiana state Rep. Reggie Bagala dies after battle with COVID-19 coronavirus". April 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020.
^ "Louisiana to hold special elections July 11". July 6, 2020. Archived from the original on July 11, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
^ "Orgeron wins House District 54 seat". July 11, 2020. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.