About Jean-Paul

Jean-Paul Coussan is a civic and business leader in Lafayette who has served House District 45 for two terms, focused on family, community, and fostering an environment where local business, industry and culture can thrive. A lifelong Republican, he provides a voice for Lafayette through his leadership in the Louisiana Legislature. He chairs the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, serves on the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay and the House Select Leadership Committee, and is a member of the Acadiana Delegation and the Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation.

His Conservative, pro-business and pro-family votes have earned him awards and high rankings from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Louisiana Family Forum, the American Conservative Union and others.

Professional

Jean-Paul is a small businessman and partner at the Lafayette real estate law firm of Andrus Boudreaux Complete Title, and cofounder of Cougar Construction, LLC, a real estate investment company with a focus on residential construction projects and rental units in Lafayette. Jean-Paul previously was an attorney with Ottinger Hebert, LLC, where he primarily defended oil and gas clients in legacy suits under Act 312 and other business matters.

Family

Jean-Paul’s conservative family has deep roots in Lafayette. His grandfather, now deceased, was Dr. G. Louis Coussan, a professor and former Dean of the College of Education at UL-Lafayette. Jean-Paul’s dad, now deceased, was Dr. George Coussan, a prominent radiologist and a former quarterback for the Ragin’ Cajuns, leading them to the 1970 Grantland Rice Bowl. Jean-Paul’s grandmother is Mrs. Mary B. Coussan, a retired school teacher in the Lafayette Parish School System. Jean-Paul’s mom is Ms. Jo Ellen Becnel Coussan, an established realtor with Van Eaton & Romero. Jean-Paul attended Prairie Elementary, Our Lady of Fatima, and St. Thomas More High School. He received both his Undergraduate and Juris Doctorate from LSU. Jean-Paul and his wife of six years, Jennifer Joy, have three children – George, Claire and Caroline. They are parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.