About David

David made history in 2004 as the first Republican ever elected to the U.S. Senate by the people of Louisiana, and the first to win an open Louisiana U.S. Senate or gubernatorial position without a runoff.

In the Senate he's been a leading advocate for fighting to protect taxpayers as the Obama Administration proposes more and more runaway government spending.

He fought the original Wall Street Bailout plan and authored a resolution of disapproval against the release of additional bailout funds.  He’s also offered legislation to end the bailout program and to allow banks that want to repay bailout funds to do so.

David has pushed important reimportation legislation to help make prescription drugs more affordable, and he’s helped pass strong measures to fight crime and keep our families safe.  David has also been a tireless worker in the ongoing effort to rebuild Louisiana better and stronger following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, helping pass temporary loans to keep local governments running after the storms and passing the Water Resources Development Act with comprehensive coastal restoration and levee improvements for Louisiana.

David serves on six key Senate committees that are important to Louisiana: Armed Services; Banking; Housing and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Small Business.  He is also a Deputy Whip for the Republicans.

David started his public service as a State legislator.  In that role, he challenged the tax-and-spend politicians in Baton Rouge - and won. He repealed the state death tax when they wanted to raise taxes, kept criminals in jail longer while still balancing the budget, and passed term limits against great odds. He even filed successful ethics actions against Edwin Edwards gambling deals and Tulane Legislative Scholarship abuses.

When David ran for Congress, he was opposed by the good-ole-boys - and won again. Instead of being a quiet freshman, David turned heads by passing major legislation on prescription drugs and Lake Pontchartrain clean-up, and by securing a seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee.

Born and raised in Louisiana, David earned his law degree with honors from Tulane Law School, where he was an editor of the Law Review. Chosen a Rhodes Scholar for his leadership skills, he earned an economics degree with highest honors from Oxford, and graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University.

David is married to Wendy Baldwin Vitter, a former prosecutor. They live in Metairie with their four children - Sophie (15), twins Lise and Airey (12), and Jack (7) - and are lectors at St. Francis Xavier Church.