Many Louisianans are mourning the death of former state lawmaker and former Natural Resources Secretary Ron Gomez, who passed away this week. Gomez served in the state legislature from 1980 through 1989, and headed up DNR under Governor Buddy Roemer. New Orleans political analyst Ron Faucheux served with Gomez at the State Capitol. He says Gomez was an excellent legislator.
“He was very well-respected as a legislator. when he stood up to speak, you could hear a pin drop. Legislators would listen to him, and I think accorded him a lot of admiration,” Faucheux says
A 2019 Louisiana Political Hall of Fame inductee, Gomez led the way in repealing Louisiana’s old and outdated “blue laws”. Faucheux says he also steered legislation that led to the building of the Cajundome on the UL-Lafayette campus…
“…and very much part of a lot of other projects that served the Acadiana Region, and made that front and center of his legislative career.”
Born in Baton Rouge in 1934, Gomez was a U.S. Air Force veteran, a journalist and a radio station co-owner and broadcaster for many years (on KPEL in Lafayette). Later in life he authored the book, “My Name is Ron and I’m a Recovering Legislator” about his time at the Capitol and working with Governor Edwin Edwards. Faucheux says Gomez had tremendous “people skills”…:
“People felt that he was honest, straightforward and intelligent. He had a great ability to communicate about public issues.”
Ron Gomez was 87 years old. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Comments