Respected community leader, businessman earned broad support in run for Senate

Houma, La. (Oct. 17, 2019)— Last Saturday, Houma businessman and community leader Michael “Big Mike” Fesi, Sr. ran away with a dominant primary victory in the race for the Louisiana State Senate’s District 20 seat.

A common sense conservative and dedicated family man, Fesi is the founder and chairman of Pipeline Construction & Maintenance, Inc. (PCM), a nationally renowned oil and gas industry service company, which has operated out of Houma for more than 23 years and created hundreds of jobs.

Fesi earned a commanding 54 percent of the vote in the crowded field of candidates, which included three well-known previously elected officials. Fesi’s victory was unique for District 20, as he earned a majority of the votes in precincts that have traditionally served as Democratic strongholds. He credits the win to his campaign team’s strategy of focusing engagement around a diverse, bipartisan constituency.

Throughout the campaign, Fesi lived up to his motto “Big Mike Cares,” by meeting with and hearing concerns from Terrebonne and Lafourche residents from all walks of life. For years, Fesi has served as a dedicated community member, giving back in a number of ways, including serving weekly lunches to veterans at The Regional Military Museum and providing volunteer and financial support to young people in need at MacDonell Children’s Services.

Fesi said his victorious campaign demonstrates that promoting collaboration and appealing to the needs of all citizens can serve as a winning strategy for those seeking office.

“I’m deeply honored that the wonderful people of Lafourche and Terrebonne have chosen me to be their advocate and representative, and I want them to know I am devoted to keeping our community united,” Fesi said. “When I ran, I said I would be a diverse candidate for all people, and I will carry this commitment with me into the Senate. I’m ready to get to work for every citizen in District 20 and bring about the changes we desperately need.”

Jerome Boykin, president of the Terrebonne Parish NAACP, praised Fesi’s campaign for its willingness to reach across the aisle and bring the district together.

“The message of Big Mike’s campaign was something you rarely see in modern politics – unification,” Boykin said. “Big Mike’s appeal touched all types of voters, and I know he truly wants to be a servant for all of the people in Terrebonne and Lafourche. Big Mike will be a difference maker in Baton Rouge.”

S.P. Larussa, a Terrebonne Parish businessman and member of the Louisiana State Democratic Committee, also lauded Fesi’s bipartisan efforts along with his business-like approach to state policy and governance.

“Big Mike has the experience to make sure Terrebonne and Lafourche will get their fair share from Baton Rouge,” Larussa said. “We need more business people in Baton Rouge with the know-how to truly make things happen, and we also need representatives willing to stand for everyone. I know Big Mike will work for everyone in our community.”