Charlie Melancon is currently serving his first term in Congress representing the 3rd District of Louisiana. The district covers much of South Louisiana, stretching from St. Bernard Parish in the east, going through the river parishes and along the coast, and extending all the way to Iberia and St. Martin parishes in the west.

Charlie’s top priorities are creating more jobs and economic opportunities in the 3rd District and across rural America, improving healthcare, and giving our children the education they need to succeed.  As a member of the Agriculture, Resources, and Science committees, he has an impact on nearly every facet of life and business in Louisiana including farm and agriculture policy, management of our oil and gas resources, and fisheries.

After his tenure in the 1970’s as Executive Director of South Central Planning and Development Commission where he worked to build infrastructure and lay the groundwork for important economic development initiatives like Port Fourchon and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), Charlie became a successful small businessman and entrepreneur.  From 1987 to 1993 he served as a State Representative in the Louisiana Legislature. 

Before coming to Congress, he spent 12 years as the President and General Manger of the American Sugar Cane League where he worked to protect and grow Louisiana’s sugar industry and the 27,000 jobs and the $2 billion in economic impact it provides.

A graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in Agri-Business, Charlie has served as chair of the LSU Ag Development Council and as vice chair of the South Louisiana Economic Council based in Thibodaux. He is a member of the Assumption Parish Farm Bureau, the UL-Lafayette Alumni Association, Ducks Unlimited, Kappa Sigma Alumni Association and Friends of Christ Church as well as many other civic and professional groups.

Charlie still lives in his hometown of Napoleonville, traveling to Washington only for votes and committee meetings.  Charlie and his wife, the former Peachy Clark, have been married for 32 years. They have two children, Charles Joseph (Seph), and Claire. Their daughter-in-law is Cheraine Blanchard Melancon.

Rep. Charlie Melancon's Official Website

Do you have a story to share?

Is government making a difference in your everyday life? Do you or your community have a problem that government needs to solve?

We'd like to hear from you.

60 percent of uninsured workers are employed by small businesses. (Employee Benefit Research Institute)