Buddy Caldwell

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Buddy Caldwell
Image of Buddy Caldwell

Republican Party

Prior offices
Attorney General of Louisiana

Education

High school

Tallulah High School, 1964

Bachelor's

Tulane University, 1968

Law

Tulane University, 1974

Personal
Profession
Attorney
Contact

Personal Facebook

James David "Buddy" Caldwell, Jr. was a Republican attorney general of Louisiana, first elected to the position in 2007 as a Democrat. Caldwell switched parties from Democratic to Republican on February 3, 2011, and was re-elected without opposition in November of that year.[1][2][3][4] Caldwell sought re-election to the office in 2015 but lost to challenger Jeff Landry (R). Caldwell left office in January 2016.[5][6][7]

As attorney general, Caldwell was the chief legal officer of the state and represented the state in litigation. In addition, he provided legal advice to state agencies and employees. While in office, Caldwell was noted for his supervision of the state's response to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, during which he sued Transocean, owner of the destroyed Deepwater Horizon rig.[8] He also investigated progressive activist group ACORN over potential embezzlement within the organization and brought suit against 18 drug companies that he claimed overcharged the state's Medicaid program.[9][10]

Biography

James David Caldwell was born May 20, 1946, in the town of Columbia in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, the fourth of seven children.[11] His family are direct descendants of the Caldwells for whom the parish was named.[12] In 1949, Caldwell's family moved to Madison Parish, where they have lived since.[13][14]

Caldwell attended Tallulah High School in the city of Tallulah, the seat of Madison Parish, where he played baseball, football, basketball and ran track. Throughout grammar and high school, as well as into his college years, he worked in his mother's drug and dry good store.[12] In 1964, Caldwell graduated from Tallulah High, moving on to Tulane University, where he received a B.A. in experimental psychology in 1968. He received his J.D. from Tulane in 1974 and opened a private practice.

In 1978, Caldwell was first elected district attorney for Louisiana's 6th Judicial District, encompassing East Carroll, Madison and Tensas Parishes. He was subsequently re-elected in 1984. In 1983, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Louisiana District Attorney's Association, serving there until 1996.[11] Caldwell won his third term as district attorney in 1990, when in a low-turnout election he defeated Democrat Samuel Thomas, 6,711 (61 percent) to 4,277 (39 percent).[15] He was unopposed in 1996. Caldwell secured a fifth term in 2002, when he defeated Democrat Raymond "Ray" Cannon, 4,987 (56 percent) to 3,931 (44 percent) in another low-turnout election.[16]

Education

  • Tallulah High School (1964)
  • Undergraduate degree in experimental psychology, Tulane University (1968)
  • J.D., Tulane University Law School (1974)[11]

Political career

Attorney general of Louisiana (2008-2016)

See also: Attorney General of Louisiana

First elected in 2007, Caldwell assumed the office of attorney general in January 2008, defeating his Republican opponent Royal Alexander by a margin of 33 percent. As attorney general, he was the chief legal officer of the state and represented the state in litigation. In addition, he provided legal advice to state agencies and employees.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

ACORN

See also: Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now

Caldwell was the only Democrat to receive the lowest rating, a letter grade of F+, from the June 2008 Survey and Scorecard report published by the liberal political organization, ACORN. The report was published in an effort to shine the spotlight on state attorneys general "leading the fight to protect homeowners from joining the flood of Americans losing their homes to foreclosure," according to the group.[24] Austin King, ACORN Financial Justice Center Director, argued that, "like a few other offices, his was incredibly difficult to work with, refused to return the questionnaire and didn't even send a form letter declining to respond,"[25] and that they have no bone to pick with him.

Caldwell was one of the very few Democratic state top law enforcers who vigorously sought criminal charges against the political action group. In September 2009, an inquest conducted by the Pelican Institute revealed that ACORN and its related groups owed more than $1 million in state and federal taxes. Around the same time, the Louisiana Attorney General admitted that his office was launching a full-scale inquiry into the matter.[26] He announced in October 2009 that "an internal review by the board of directors of the community organization ACORN determined that the amount allegedly embezzled"[27] by Dale Rathke, brother of former-president Wade Rathke, exceeded $5 million.[28] A month later, Caldwell issued a search warrant to conduct a raid of ACORN’s offices in New Orleans in which dozens of computers were seized.[29]

In the midst of this investigation, Caldwell's office blamed Governor Bobby Jindal's (R) "opposition to a fee that would have raised money to hire more investigators" for the prosecution's slow progress.[30] Jindal fired back that the division of the attorney general's office in charge of criminal investigations is allocated a budget of over $12 million, more than sufficient, he said, to do what was necessary to expedite the case.

Audit

Former Legislative Auditor Dan Kyle of Baton Rouge, an unsuccessful Republican candidate for insurance commissioner in 2003, emerged as a leading critic of Caldwell's attorney general candidacy. In 1997, Kyle reported that Caldwell "spent $1,529 in D.A. office funds to pay for personal items, including clothing and golfing expenses."[31] The expenses included air fare to Montana and golf fees in Alabama.[32] Kyle claimed that Caldwell tried "to quash release of parts of the audit . . . and used foul language and threats in an unsuccessful attempt to block the audit." He then accused Caldwell of having blamed his own secretary for the questionable spending: "Caldwell also said the spending problem in the 1997 audit was a mistake by his secretary, adding that he personally brought it to the auditor's attention."[31]

Three years later, Caldwell accused Kyle's investigators of "an array of questionable activities ranging from improperly bugging conversations to having sex with witnesses in audit investigations" in testimony before the Legislative Audit Advisory Council. Caldwell "told the council...that state auditors working in north Louisiana had suppressed evidence, secretly tape-recorded interviews with witnesses, and compromised the credibility of witnesses in possible criminal investigations."[31] Caldwell subpoenaed two of Kyle's investigators before a grand jury in Tallulah. Kyle later claimed that Caldwell was trying to indict Kyle or the investigators. Caldwell said after the Legislative Audit Advisory Council meeting that he "might reopen a grand jury investigation of Kyle's office."[33]

Accusations of illegal contracts

In May 2013, Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch and the national American Tort Reform Association accused Caldwell of hiring top campaign contributors to represent the state in tort cases through the use of illegal contingency-fee contracts.[34][35]

According to Melissa Landry, executive director of Lawsuit Abuse Watch, “The attorney general is contracting out much of the state's legal business to a small group of politically connected trial lawyers.”[36]

Among those receiving the contracts were Allen Usry, Caldwell's campaign chief, as well as Usry's family and fellow lawyers at his firm. Caldwell's campaign treasurer, Wade Shows, also received contracts. Conservative blog TheHayride.com, through the use of a public records request, showed 13 firms that contributed $277,000 to Caldwell's campaigns received lucrative contracts. Caldwell responded, saying, “OK. But that's 13 out of 700 or 800 lawyers” he’s hired as outside counsel.[37]

BP suit

On March 3, 2011, Caldwell filed a suit against BP and partner companies in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, seeking $1 million for every day oil was spilling into the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oilrig explosion and ensuing oil spills. According to the suit, the spills “were caused by the acts, omissions, fault, negligence, gross negligence, reckless, willful and wanton behavior, and/or breach of federal and state laws.”[38][39]

As of January 2013, Caldwell's office had spent close to $24 million to build the state's case, $15.4 million of which went to outside law firms. Eight out of the 11 firms contracted had previously contributed to Caldwell's campaign. Judge Carl Barbier, who is presiding over the case, took issue with the use of outside lawyers, saying in December 2011 that they "obstructed and frustrated the progress of the litigation." Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange also filed suit, but used staff lawyers for the work and said he had spent under $200,000 as of the same time period.[40][41][42]

Melissa Landry, executive director of the Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, criticized the fees, saying, “The cozy relationship between Attorney General Caldwell and the private firms he’s contracted with to represent the state is very troubling. The lawyers in these firms have contributed more than $100,000 to Caldwell’s campaign, and at least two of them held leadership roles in his bid for re-election."[43]

Car accident

Caldwell was taken to the hospital following a single-car accident in Madison Parish the morning of August 21, 2013.[44] He suffered minor injuries after his vehicle veered off the highway and hit a tree.[45] A witness driving behind Caldwell said the vehicle was headed north without any apparent problems with it suddenly veered off the road.[46]

State police said they did not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident. In the accident report, Caldwell was quoted as saying, “I was driving along and suddenly started feeling nauseated and the next thing I remember was somebody waking me up and being in the trees.” Caldwell's vehicle, a 2013 Ford Expedition, was towed from the scene. The owner of the vehicle is listed on the accident report as a real estate company with an address that does not exist. According to Caldwell's spokeswoman, Amanda Larkins, Caldwell's state vehicle received that owner designation for "law enforcement and security purposes."[47]

GlaxoSmithKline settlement

On July 26, 2013, Caldwell announced Louisiana would receive $45 million from British healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline to settle lawsuits involving allegations of Medicaid fraud and deceptive marketing. The company also had to pay $7 million for private lawyers who handled the state's lawsuits.[48][49]

In a statement, Caldwell said, “Today’s multi-million dollar recovery is historic for Louisiana and marks an important victory for our consumers who have every right to know about the risks and negative side-effects of prescription drugs. These kinds of deceptive tactics and misrepresentations will not be tolerated in this state, and violators like GSK will be held accountable.”[50] GSK attorney Cleo Fields said the company did not admit to doing anything wrong.[50]

Caldwell's office first sued GSK in 2011 over allegedly fraudulent claims it made for its prescription drug Avandia. In response, GSK sued Caldwell, claiming the lawyers hired by Caldwell for the case had a "personal financial interest" in the outcome.[51] In the settlement, GSK agreed to drop the lawsuit as well.[52][53]

The $45 million goes directly to the state's Medicaid program. Caldwell's office said the agreement was "the largest such pharmaceutical recovery ever received by the state.”[54]

SLFPA-E lawsuit

In September 2013, The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) demanded Caldwell withdraw his approval of an agreement between the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East (SLFPA-E) and lawyers who filed a suit against multiple oil and gas companies accused of destroying coastal wetlands. LOGA threatened to sue Caldwell if he did not withdraw his authorization of the agreement.[55] Jeff Landry (R), who had recently left Congress, also criticized Caldwell, saying the authorization was illegal and accusing him of cronyism. Landry stated, "The actions of our Attorney General would turn the State’s coastal protection and flood control issues into an ambulance chasing free for all. It’s bad policy. It’s reckless. And, it’s flat irresponsible.[56]

In response, Caldwell issued a statement, saying, "Every one of these accusations is a lie and the individuals making these statements know it." He said he did not authorize the suit and cannot do so under law, nor did he approve SLFPA-E's contract with their attorneys.[57]

Healthcare reform

See also: State Attorneys General Against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010

Caldwell was the only Democrat out of 26 state attorneys general to challenge President Obama's Affordable Care Act in March 2010.[58][59] (He became a Republican after joining the suit.) Caldwell justified his participation in the lawsuit on the grounds that the law's individual mandate, which requires every American to purchase his/her own healthcare plan from a private insurance company, is unconstitutional. He stood behind his co-plaintiffs who argued that Congressional powers to regulate certain economic activities reserved under the Constitution's commerce clause do not extend to forcing citizens to purchase anything from a private company referring to them as, "market bystanders."[60] Amid the U.S. Supreme Court hearings, which began in March 2012, Caldwell spoke out regularly to the press on the specific issue of the individual mandate. He believed that Obamacare would not survive the assessment of the majority of conservative-bending Supreme Court Justices, and explained why he believed the safer approach to expanding healthcare on a federal level would see Congress exploiting its explicit authority to tax and appropriate was passed over in favor of inflammatory, divisive reform: "If they want a tax, they can sustain that (in court), they just can't get it passed" through the House and Senate, he said on March 27, 2012.[60] In homage to his Democratic roots, he told the liberal publication ThinkProgress the same day that his mistrust of private insurance companies, not the government, weighed heavily on his decision to challenge the individual mandate, saying, "If the government wants to put forth a policy where they will pay for everything and you won't have to go through an insurance policy, that'd be a whole lot better."[60][61][62]

Party switch

Some three years into his first term, to which he was elected as a Democrat, Caldwell announced in February 2011 that he was switching her party affiliation to Republican.[63][64] The only Democrat to join the federal suit challenging President Obama's (D) Affordable Care Act, Caldwell cited the bill as an example of how he felt more comfortable with the direction of the GOP. His switch came shortly after switches by two state senators and three state representatives, all of whom changed from Democratic to Republican.[65][66]

Caldwell said he would not make any changes to the way he ran his office, stating, "Partisan politics will continue to be a non-issue with me. I will remain the same person with the same values and sensitivities, both as a public servant and as a private person. I will always endeavor to get my facts straight and go where the truth and the law lead me."[67]

Rumors had been circulating the week before that he might switch parties, to which Caldwell responded, "No comment." Responding to the rumors, Kevin Franck, communications director for the state Democratic Party, said, "In his heart, Buddy Caldwell is a Democrat and whichever way the political winds blow he'll always be a Democrat."[68] Following the switch, Franck said, "A career politician can change the letter after his name, but a leopard can’t change its spots. Buddy Caldwell is a Democrat at heart and the voters of Louisiana are smart enough to know an opportunist when they see one."[69]

District attorney, 6th Judicial District (1979-2008)

According to his official biography, as district attorney Caldwell "[participated] in the investigative assistance to law enforcement and prosecution of the cases in his district where practicable."[12] His official biography as attorney general claimed he tried "most major felony cases in his three-parish district," and advised police juries, school boards, law enforcement and other organizations on legal matters.[11] In addition to Caldwell's duties in the courtroom, he administered offices in the three parishes that compromised his district.[12]

Accusations of nepotism

In December 1994, Caldwell married for the third time in Las Vegas. A few months later, he was served with divorce papers by his new wife. Four days after that, she was terminated as the "confidential assistant" to Louisiana Secretary of State Fox McKeithen. Caldwell testified that he arranged for his third wife's hiring with the help of an employee of the attorney general's office. "I've known Fox ever since we were children," Caldwell said.[70] The third Mrs. Caldwell testified that McKeithen called her into his office on May 12, 1995, and they discussed her divorce case: "I was terminated from my job. I was upset. I was crying. I have a child to support. I could not survive without a job."[71] Amid the divorce proceedings, Caldwell dropped a bid for lieutenant governor that year on the grounds that his position as district attorney would not allow him time to campaign. The lieutenant governorship was instead won by outgoing Governor of Louisiana Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Lafayette.

While he was district attorney for multiple parishes, Caldwell repeatedly refused to investigate and indict family members. In repeated audit findings from the Louisiana Board of Ethics and Legislative Auditors, Carolyn and Ray Caldwell, as well as their children, other family members, and friends, were discovered to be inappropriately profiting from Madison's Office of Clerk of Court finances.[72]

Shortly before the three-candidate primary for attorney general on October 20, 2007, it was revealed that Caldwell's son, David Caldwell, was employed by former Attorney General Foti. Caldwell was himself a Foti supporter in the 2003 election.

Noteworthy events

Affordable Care Act lawsuit

See also: State Attorneys General Against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010

Caldwell was one of 13 state attorneys general who initiated a 2010 lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The suit argued that the individual mandate fell outside of the federal government’s authority and that the requirement for state Medicaid expansion of coverage violated state sovereignty. The case was ultimately heard before the Supreme Court, which ruled to uphold the individual mandate as falling within Congress’ authority to levy taxes and struck down the Medicaid expansion as being unduly coercive in light of the withholding of funding that would result from noncompliance.[73]

Elections

2015

See also: Louisiana Attorney General election, 2015

Caldwell sought re-election as attorney general in the 2015 elections.

General election

Incumbent Buddy Caldwell was defeated by fellow Republican Jeff Landry in the general election.[74]

Attorney General of Louisiana, General Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Buddy Caldwell 43.7% 473,869
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJeff Landry 56.3% 610,433
Total Votes 1,084,302
Election Results Louisiana Secretary of State.

Primary election

No candidate received an outright majority in the primary election on October 24, 2015. The two candidates with the most votes, who qualified for the November 21st general election were incumbent Buddy Caldwell (R) and Jeff Landry (R).[75]

Attorney General of Louisiana, Primary Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBuddy Caldwell 35.4% 376,187
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJeff Landry 32.7% 347,441
     Democratic Geraldine "Geri" Broussard Baloney 17.6% 187,332
     Democratic Ike Jackson 10.8% 115,037
     Republican Marty Maley 3.6% 37,787
Total Votes 1,063,784
Election Results Louisiana Secretary of State.

Polls

Run-off election candidates match-up: Buddy Caldwell (R) vs. Jeff Landry (D)

Attorney General of Louisiana
Poll Buddy Caldwell (R) Jeff Landry (R)UndecidedMargin of errorSample size
JMC Analytics/WVLA
October 28-31, 2015		 34%38%29%+/-4600
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.


Primary election candidates match-up

Louisiana Attorney General
Poll Buddy Caldwell (R) Jeff Landry (R)Marty Maley (R)Ike Jackson (D)Geraldine Broussard Baloney (D)UndecidedMargin of errorSample size
MarblePort
October 20-21, 2015		 31.5%31.9%2.2%11.7%12.1%10.4%+/-3.01,464
Triumph Campaigns
September 29-30, 2015		 27%24%6%24%0%20%+/-2.41,047
The Advocate/WWL-TV
September 20-23, 2015		 30%20%5%11%5%28%+/-3.46800
Triumph Campaigns
July 27-30, 2015		 31%25%4%22%0%18%+/-2.41,543
AVERAGES 29.88% 25.23% 4.3% 17.18% 4.28% 19.1% +/-2.82 1,213.5
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Hypothetical match-ups

Louisiana Attorney General
Poll Buddy Caldwell (R) Jeff Landry (R)UndecidedMargin of errorSample size
The Hayride/MarblePort
August 4-5, 2015		 30.7%29.9%39.3%+/---1,050
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Louisiana Attorney General
Poll Buddy Caldwell (R) Jeff Landry (R)Jacque Roy (D)UndecidedMargin of errorSample size
Triumph Campaigns
March 6, 2015		 30%20%30%21%+/-2.41,655
AVERAGES
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Campaign finance

Third quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $155,246.87 and spent a total of $156,177.14 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on September 25, 2015.[76]

Second quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $1,124,566.47 and spent a total of $642,826.58 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on September 25, 2015.[77]

First quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $1,220,243.73 and spent a total of $593,789.42 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on May 4, 2015.[78]

Annual report (2014)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $1,305,473.99 and spent a total of $356,235.99 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on February 19, 2015.[79]

2011

See also: Louisiana attorney general election, 2011

Caldwell sent strong signals he would run for re-election in 2011, raising over $400,000 in 2010 for his re-election campaign.[80] He also formally switched his allegiance from the Democratic to the Republican Party in February 2011, a move the Louisiana Democratic Party suggested was an opportunistic play for conservative votes.[81][82][83]

Republican U.S. Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao announced April 12, 2011, that he would run for the post.[84][85] Cao, Caldwell's only opponent, withdrew from the race in September after meeting with the attorney general. "I am satisfied that he will represent the best interests of Louisiana and our people," Cao said.[86]

Caldwell won re-election unopposed in the October 22 primary.[87][88][89]

Endorsements

2007

Caldwell won election as Louisiana Attorney General in November 2007, defeating Republican Royal Alexander.[92]

  • 2007 General Election
    • Caldwell won the general election for attorney general with 67 percent of the vote.
Attorney General of Louisiana, 2007
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngBuddy Caldwell 66.6% 477,574
     Republican Royal Alexander 33.4% 239,485
Total Votes 717,059
Election results via Louisiana Secretary of State


  • 2007 Open Primary Election
Attorney General of Louisiana, Primary Election, 2007
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngBuddy Caldwell 52.3% 434,507
     Republican Royal Alexander 47.7% 395,498
     Democratic Charles C. Foti, Jr. Incumbent 0% 0
Total Votes 830,005
Election results via Louisiana Secretary of State

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Buddy Caldwell campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2011Attorney General of LouisianaWon $656,872 N/A**
2007Attorney General of Louisiana*Won $1,886,117 N/A**
Grand total$2,542,989 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only availabale data.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Caldwell currently resides in Madison Parish, La., with his wife Pat. The couple has seven children and six grandchildren together. In addition to his political work, Caldwell is an accomplished singer and published songwriter.[93]

State profile

USA Louisiana location map.svg
Demographic data for Louisiana
 LouisianaU.S.
Total population:4,668,960316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):43,2043,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:62.8%73.6%
Black/African American:32.1%12.6%
Asian:1.7%5.1%
Native American:0.6%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:1.8%3%
Hispanic/Latino:4.7%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:83.4%86.7%
College graduation rate:22.5%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$45,047$53,889
Persons below poverty level:23.3%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Louisiana.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Louisiana

Louisiana voted Republican in all six presidential elections between 2000 and 2020.


More Louisiana coverage on Ballotpedia

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term "Buddy + Caldwell + Louisiana + Attorney"

Buddy Caldwell News Feed

Contact information

Louisiana

Capitol Address:
Office of Louisiana Attorney General
1885 N. Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Phone: (225) 326-6705
Fax: (225) 326-6793
E-mail: admininfo@ag.state.la.us

See also

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External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ New Orleans Times Picayune, "Attorney General Buddy Caldwell switches to Republican," February 3, 2011
  2. ↑ KADN.com, "Joseph Cao gets back on the campaign trail," April 13, 2011
  3. ↑ Times Picayune, "Lawmakers request attorney general opinions on firearms laws," June 12, 2013
  4. ↑ National Association of Attorneys General, "James D. "Buddy" Caldwell," accessed June 19, 2013
  5. ↑ WBRZ, "Former congressman gets in attorney general's race," February 24, 2014
  6. ↑ Associated Press, "Louisiana - County Vote Results: Attorney General - General," November 21, 2015
  7. ↑ Kevin Litten, The Times-Picayune, "Billy Nungesser touts Louisiana tourism in taking lieutenant governor's post," January 12, 2016
  8. ↑ Nola.com, "Attorney General Buddy Caldwell sues Transocean over Gulf oil spill," September 15, 2010
  9. ↑ The Times-Picayune, "Attorney General Buddy Caldwell sues drug companies, alleges price manipulation," November 1, 2010
  10. ↑ The Times-Picayune, "ACORN embezzlement was $5 million, La. attorney general says," October 6, 2009
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Office of the Attorney General, State of Louisiana, "Biography," accessed May 17, 2011
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 6th Judicial District," accessed May 17, 2011
  13. ↑ Twitter, "Buddy Caldwell," accessed June 19, 2013
  14. ↑ Facebook, " About Buddy Caldwell," accessed June 19, 2013
  15. ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry
  16. ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State-Multi-Parish Elections Inquiry
  17. ↑ WWLTV, "Attorney General called out for giving contracts to top campaign donors," May 20, 2013
  18. ↑ The Hayride, "The WWL piece on Buddy Caldwell you simply won’t believe," May 21, 2013
  19. ↑ KNOE, "Hundreds to be stricken from La. sex registry," June 12, 2013
  20. ↑ Times Picayune, "Louisiana Attorney General says watch for hurricane season scams ," May 30, 2013
  21. ↑ Times Picayune, "Former DHH employee accused of defrauding Louisiana's Medicaid program of more than $1 million," June 4, 2013
  22. ↑ Legal Newsline, "Report: Legal watchdog groups call out La. AG for pay-to-play system," May 22, 2013
  23. ↑ The IND, "Noisemaker: AG Buddy Caldwell," July 26, 2012
  24. ↑ ACORN "Attorneys General Take Action: Real Leadership in Fighting Foreclosures" June 2008
  25. ↑ Legal Newsline, "ACORN: AG Caldwell should have returned questionnaire," June 16, 2008
  26. ↑ Big Government, "ACORN’s Tax Problems" 1 Oct. 2009
  27. ↑ Big Government, "Breaking: Louisiana Attorney General: Rathke embezzled $5 million from ACORN," October 5, 2009
  28. ↑ Times Picayune, "ACORN embezzlement was $5 million, La. attorney general says," October 6, 2009
  29. ↑ Examiner.com, "New troubles for ACORN," October 7, 2009
  30. ↑ The Advocate, "Jindal blocks resources, AG says," September 23, 2009
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 The Advocate, "DA criticizes auditor's office," October 6, 2000
  32. ↑ New Orleans Times-Picayune, "Spending problems cited by state auditor," April 2, 1997]
  33. ↑ New Orleans Times-Picayune, "District attorney blasts auditor," October 6, 2000]
  34. ↑ The Hayride, "HAYRIDE INVESTIGATES: The curious Buddy system of Louisiana AG Caldwell," May 20, 2013
  35. ↑ Legal Newsline, "Report: Legal watchdog groups call out La. AG for pay-to-play system," May 22, 2013
  36. ↑ WWLTV, "Attorney General called out for giving contracts to top campaign donors ," May 20, 2013
  37. ↑ The Hayride, "The WWL piece on Buddy Caldwell you simply won’t believe," May 21, 2013
  38. ↑ Legal Newsline, "Louisiana AG sues BP, others over oil spill," March 14, 2011
  39. ↑ Times Picayune, "Attorney General Buddy Caldwell granted permission to investigate BP oil spill," June 13, 2010
  40. ↑ AP, "APNewsBreak: La. AG's oil spill tab nears $24M," January 14, 2013
  41. ↑ Alabama Public Radio, "La. AG's oil spill tab nears $24m," January 14, 2013
  42. ↑ First Coast News, "La. attorney general Buddy Caldwell under scrutiny over gulf oil spill legal expenses," January 14, 2013
  43. ↑ Louisiana Record, "Updated: Outside lawyers contracted by La. Attorney General making millions–have close ties to AG," February 11, 2013
  44. ↑ Times Picayune, "Attorney General Buddy Caldwell 'conscious, alert' following minor single car accident," August 21, 2013
  45. ↑ The Advocate, "AG Caldwell to remain hospitalized overnight," August 24, 2013
  46. ↑ NavBug, "Attorney General 'Buddy' Caldwell in hospital after car crash," September 13, 2013
  47. ↑ The Advocate, "Police release report on AG Caldwell wreck," August 31, 2013
  48. ↑ The Advocate, "Drug maker agrees to $45 million settlement with La.," July 28, 2013
  49. ↑ KPVI, "Drug maker agrees to $45M settlement with La," July 26, 2013
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Legal Newsline, "Louisiana AG announces recovery of $45 million from GSK," July 29, 2013
  51. ↑ Insurance Journal, "Drug maker sues Louisiana AG in Avandia drug case," June 6, 2012
  52. ↑ BlogLovin', "Drugmaker agrees to $45M settlement with Louisiana," July 27, 2013
  53. ↑ FOX 8, "Drug maker pays $45 million to settle Louisiana litigation," July 26, 2013
  54. ↑ Times Picayune, "Louisiana reaches $45 million settlement with GSK over drug marketing," July 26, 2013
  55. ↑ The Advocate, "Oil and gas association want Caldwell to reverse lawsuit approval," September 7, 2013
  56. ↑ The Hayride, "LANDRY: The Buddy system shows up in that levee board lawsuit," September 16, 2013
  57. ↑ James "Buddy" Caldwell, The Houma Times, "AG: Landry letter got it all wrong," October 1, 2013
  58. ↑ Times Picayune, "La. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell grabs attention for Obamacare comments," March 30, 2012
  59. ↑ Politics Daily, "Fourteen states seek to block healthcare reform law in court," March 24, 2010
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 60.2 The Times-Picayune, "Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell sees no chance that Supreme Court will allow health-care law to survive," March 30, 2012
  61. ↑ KSLA, "How the Affordable Care Act affects Louisiana residents," June 28, 2012
  62. ↑ 9News, "Where states stand on implementing health care law," June 28, 2012
  63. ↑ Louisiana Record, "Reports state Louisiana AG to switch to GOP," February 1, 2011
  64. ↑ Cajun Conservatism, "BREAKING: Attorney General Buddy Caldwell switching parties," February 1, 2011
  65. ↑ Times Picayune, "Attorney General Buddy Caldwell switches to Republican," February 2, 2011
  66. ↑ WAFB, "Report: AG Buddy Caldwell to switch to GOP," February 1, 2011
  67. ↑ South Florida Times, "Caldwell announces his switch to the GOP," February 2011
  68. ↑ Best of New Orleans, "Buddy Caldwell on party-switching rumors: 'No comment,'" January 26, 2011
  69. ↑ Best of New Orleans, "Louisiana AG Buddy Caldwell flips to GOP," February 2, 2011
  70. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named sns
  71. ↑ Investors Hub, "Post #174948," November 7, 2009
  72. ↑ Madison Parish Clerk of Court, "Compliance Audit 2005"
  73. ↑ SCOTUSblog, "Florida v. Department of Health and Human Services," accessed August 11, 2020
  74. ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Unofficial Election Results," accessed November 21, 2015
  75. ↑ The Lens, "Election 2015," accessed October 25, 2015
  76. ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed September 25, 2015
  77. ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed September 25, 2015
  78. ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed May 4, 2015
  79. ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed February 19, 2015
  80. ↑ Nola.com, "Attorney General Buddy Caldwell raised $400k last year," February 15, 2011
  81. ↑ BestOfNewOrleans.com, "Louisiana AG Buddy Caldwell flips to GOP," February 2, 2011
  82. ↑ Republican State Leadership Committee, "Republicans take control of Louisiana Senate with special election victory," February 20, 2011
  83. ↑ Governing, "Does party switching help or hurt a politician's career?" June 14, 2013
  84. ↑ New Orleans City Business, "Cao says he’ll seek Caldwell’s job," April 12, 2011
  85. ↑ Times Picayune, "Ex-Congressman Anh 'Joseph' Cao plans run for state attorney general," April 12, 2011
  86. ↑ Times Picayune, "Attorney General Buddy Caldwell re-elected as former Rep. Joseph Cao drops out of race," September 19, 2011
  87. ↑ Buddy Caldwell for Attorney General, " Homepage," accessed June 19, 2013
  88. ↑ The Town Talk, "Jindal, Dardenne, Schedler, Donelon, Strain win statewide elections in Louisiana," October 23, 2011
  89. ↑ Times Picayune, "Gov. Bobby Jindal easily wins re-election," October 22, 2011
  90. ↑ KPEL, "Caldwell gets endorsement from Vitter in re-election bid," August 23, 2011
  91. ↑ Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, "Louisiana Sheriffs endorse Attorney General Buddy Caldwell for re-election," August 22, 2011
  92. ↑ WAFB, "Buddy Caldwell wins the attorney general's race," November 18, 2007
  93. ↑ Office of the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana, "Biography-Buddy Caldwell," accessed April 2, 2012


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