INDReporter

Stunner: Melancon now a lobbyist

by Walter Pierce

The former congressman has signed on with the International Franchise Association, where he will serve as vice president of government relations and public policy.

The headline is sarcastic, of course. Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, swatted down last fall in his bid to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. David Vitter, has joined a wearingly long line of former members of Congress in sliding through the Beltway revolving door and becoming a lobbyist. According to The Times-Picayune, Melancon has signed on with the International Franchise Association, where he will serve as vice president of government relations and public policy. The IFA represents about 1,200 franchise companies such as fast-food restaurants.

Melancon owned Baskin Robbins ice cream franchises in Louisiana 20 years ago. He tells the T-P that he and his wife, Peachy, will sell their Napoleonville home and live in a Washington, D.C., condominium, but also plan to purchase a house in the Baton Rouge area to be near their children.

Melancon declined to disclose his salary with the IFA, but acknowledged that he'll be earning more than the $172,000 paid to members of the House of Representatives.

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