Garey Forster (born April 29, 1950) is an American radio host who served in District 98 as a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1982–1997, when he resigned to become the state secretary of labor under Governor Murphy J. “Mike” Foster, Jr.

Early years and education

Forster, a Roman Catholic, graduated from Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, then known as St. Aloysius High School. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University in New Orleans and has been a fellow of the Institute of Politics at Loyola University in New Orleans. He is a past district chairman of the Boy Scouts of America. Forster is married to the former Stephanie Price.

Forster formerly owned a direct mail company. He completed a specialty training course sponsored by the interest group, the National Federation of Independent Business.

State representative

In 1982, Forster won the House District 99 seat as a Democrat in a special election called because of the resignation of Republican Representative Lane Anderson Carson, who joined the administration of one-term Republican Governor David C. Treen. Forster prevailed thereafter in the regular elections of 1983, 1987, 1991, and 1995. His party conversion came in 1984, and the district was renumbered to 98. In the 1987 nonpartisan blanket primary, also known as the jungle primary, Forster defeated Democratic opponent C. Joseph "Joe" Murray, 7,709 (54.6 percent) to 6,415 (45.4 percent). In 1991, Forster won the primary outright by defeating three Democrats and an Independent with 57.7 percent of the vote. In 1995, Forster polled 52.6 percent in the primary against a Democrat, Norbert Rome and a Republican challenger, Joyce S. Sackett.