St. Bernard Parish Representative MICHAEL BAYHAM (photo courtesy of Michael Bayham)
Hearts are heavy in the State Capitol amid news that Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham has passed away at the age of 52. Bayham was in the midst of his first term as a state legislator when he passed away this morning. Political consultant Jason Redmond was a longtime friend of Bayham’s, dating back to their time at LSU.
“They had the College Republicans’ table and the College Democrats’ table. He was the Republican, and I was on the Democrat. That’s how we met; and despite our differences, we always had fun jousting a bit,” Redmond recalled.
Despite being on opposite ends of the political spectrum, Bayham and Redmond eventually became roommates; and when Bayham became president of the student senate, Bayham hired him to be his administrative assistant in the senate office.
Monroe Representative Michael Echols says Bayham was a hard worker right up until the very end, working to pass his constitutional amendment limiting governors to two lifetime terms – an effort that was ultimately successful.
“Even as of last week, he was working to pass a constitutional amendment that he had authored. And so, a tireless fighter, a tireless public servant and we’ll all miss him,” Echols said.
Echols says Bayham was a walking encyclopedia when it came to world events, and that played a role in one of his proudest moments as a Louisiana legislator.
“He presented a resolution to Pope Leo. congratulating him on becoming the first American Pope. I think that was one of the highlights of his career, getting to meet the Pope and presenting him with a Louisiana resolution,” Echols recalled.
Redmond says Bayham’s passing was not exactly unexpected; he had apparently been battling health issues for quite some time.
“He confided in me earlier this year that he was ill, and he didn’t want that publicly disseminated. So, I had the feeling he never said it, but I think he kind of knew this day was coming,” Redmond noted.
House members will be meeting late this evening to honor Bayham and to exchange stories about a man who honorably served his constituents and the State of Louisiana.
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