Patrick LeBlanc

Who was Patrick LeBlanc?

Patrick Lynn LeBlanc, Sr., usually known as Pat LeBlanc, was a prominent Lafayette, Louisiana, architect and businessman who was also active in Republican politics. LeBlanc and his pilot perished when their single-engine airplane crashed over northern Vermilion Parish. His death came eleven days before his 54th birthday and only four months after having been defeated in a high-profile race for the Louisiana House of Representatives. His pilot was R. Solomon Reed, Jr., of Opelousas, the seat of St. Landry Parish in south Louisiana.

In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 20, 2007, LeBlanc was defeated for the District 43 seat by his fellow Republican, Page Cortez, the choice of influential State Senator Michael J. Michot of Lafayette. The seat was vacated by the retirement of Republican Representative Ernie Alexander of Lafayette. Cortez polled 7,742 votes to LeBlanc's 6,218.