District 86 State Representative Jim Tucker was elected Speaker of the House on January 14, 2008. Representative Tucker first took office in March 2001, serving Westbank Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. From 2001 to 2004, he worked on the Insurance, Labor and Transportation, Highways and Public Works committees. From 2004-2008, Representative Tucker was a member of the Insurance, Retirement and Transportation, Highways and Public Works committees. He also served as Chairman of the House Republican Delegation from 2004 to 2008.

Outside of the state legislature, Representative Tucker is the Managing Member of Tucker Properties, a real estate development firm. From 1993 to 1999, he was a founding partner of Holley, Tucker, Bossier and Nosacka Financial Advisors. He is involved with several professional and civic associations, including the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Algiers Development District, the Terrytown Civic Association and Oak Park Baptist Church. Representative Tucker also serves as a trustee for the Christian Health Ministries Foundation, the Baptist Community Ministries and the Southeast Louisiana Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Representative Tucker is a graduate of the University of New Orleans and O. Perry Walker High School.