James Carville

HOLLYWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Carville arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of “The Muppets” held at the El Capitan Theatre on November 12, 2011 in Hollywood, CA, Christopher Halloran/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Chester James Carville, Jr.

Place of Birth: Fort Benning, Georgia, U.S.

Date of Birth: October 25, 1944

Ethnicity: Cajun French, smaller amounts of Irish, Belgian Walloon, and German, remote English and Welsh

James Carville is an American political consultant, author, actor, and expert pundit. Part of the consulting team Carville and Begala, with Paul Begala, he was a lead strategist for Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign. He has also crafted strategy for John Kerry’s, Hillary Clinton’s (in 2008), and Michael Bennet’s presidential campaigns, along with other campaigns, both in the U.S. and in many countries abroad. He is nicknamed the “Ragin’ Cajun.”

He was born in Fort Benning, Georgia, the son of Lucille Angelle (Normand), a school teacher and World Book Encyclopedia saleswoman, and Chester James Carville, a postman, who owned a general store. His father was stationed in Fort Benning when James was born there during WWII. His family is from Carville, a neighborhood in the city of St. Gabriel, in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, where James was raised. His mother spoke French. James served a two-year enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968. He achieved the rank of Corporal.

James is married to Republican Party political consultant Mary Matalin, with whom he has two children. Mary worked on the 1992 George H. W. Bush campaign while James worked on the rival Clinton campaign. Mary is of half Croatian descent.

James’ paternal grandfather was Louis Arthur Carville (the son of John Madison Carville and Octavia Dehon). Louis was born in Carville, Iberville Parish, Louisiana, and was a postmaster, after whom the community Carville was named. His parents had established the family-run general store. Louis was said to have been of Irish and Belgian descent. John was the son of Alexander Carville.

James’ paternal grandmother was Pearl Mary Slangerup (the daughter of August Ferdinand Slangerup). Pearl was born in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana.

James’ maternal grandfather was Clemile Victor Normand (the son of Joseph Victor Normand and Florida Chatelain). Clemile was born in Bunkie, Avoyelles, Louisiana.

James’ maternal grandmother was Clemence Corinne Riche (the daughter of Joseph Raymond “J.R.” Riche and Marie Angelle Gremillion). Corinne was born in Evergreen, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. Joseph was the son of Frederic Riche and Marie Lea Ducote.

Sources: Genealogy of James Carville – https://www.geni.com

Genealogies of James’ parents – https://www.findagrave.com

James’ father on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

James’ maternal grandfather, Clemile Victor Normand, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org