Walter Joseph Boasso (born May 10, 1960)[1] is an American businessman and Democratic former state senator from Chalmette, the seat of government of St. Bernard Parish in south Louisiana.
He was defeated in a bid for governor in the October 20, 2007, nonpartisan blanket primary by the Republican Bobby Jindal.
From 2004 to 2008, Boasso represented Senate District 1, which includes parts of Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany parishes, many of those areas having been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
After the decision by Louisiana Republicans to endorse Jindal, Boasso was approached about running for governor as a Democrat.
Boasso was in Baton Rouge at the time, and on being advised of the situation returned to the parish before the winds had completely died.
Many local residents said that Boasso and Democratic then U.S. Representative Charlie Melancon of Louisiana's 3rd congressional district were nearly the only source of help for his parish.