A special election is scheduled for February 7, 2024, to fill five vacant seats in the Louisiana Legislature. The election follows the resignations of several lawmakers who left their positions this fall to pursue other opportunities. This includes former state Senator Joseph Bouie Jr., who accepted the role of chancellor at Southern University at New Orleans, resulting in the opening of his Senate seat in District 3.
In addition to Bouie, two representatives from New Orleans, Jason Hughes and Matthew Willard, resigned from the Louisiana House after their successful elections to the City Council. Chad Brown of Plaquemine stepped down from his role as state representative for Iberville and Assumption parishes to take on a new position as commissioner of the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Former Representative Troy Romero, who represented Jefferson Davis Parish and part of Calcasieu Parish, also left his post earlier this month, with his future plans still unannounced.
The upcoming special election will feature a primary contest for all five legislative seats. Should no candidate secure a majority of votes, a runoff is slated for March 14, 2024. Qualifying for the election closed on Friday, revealing a competitive field of candidates.
Candidates for Senate District 3
In Senate District 3, which encompasses Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes, five candidates have emerged, all running as Democrats:
– Kenn Barnes, a personal injury and criminal defense attorney
– Sidney J. Barthelemy II, a construction firm owner and son of former New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy
– Jon Johnson, a former New Orleans city council member and state senator
– Chad Lauga, an electrician and former president of a local electrical workers union chapter
– Arthur A. Morrell, a former criminal district court clerk and state representative
House District Candidates
For House District 100 in Orleans Parish, six Democratic candidates are vying for the position:
– Patricia Boyd Robertson, a business owner
– Dana Henry, an attorney
– Eric Jones, an education leader
– Aeisha Kelly, a political consultant
– Kenya Rounds, an attorney
– Candice Taylor, a healthcare worker from New Orleans East
In House District 97, also located in Orleans Parish, three Democratic candidates are in contention:
– David Edward Cook, a private investigator
– Eugene Green, a property management consultant and son of a current New Orleans City Council member
– Ed T. Murray, a personal injury attorney
House District 60, covering Assumption and Iberville Parishes, features three candidates:
– Brad Daigle, a Republican small business owner and member of the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission
– Chasity Verret Martinez, a Democrat and Iberville Parish Council member
– Raheem Pierce, a Democrat and Iberville Parish Council member
Lastly, House District 37, which includes Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis Parishes, has the following candidates:
– Reese “Skip” Broussard, a Republican small business owner and member of the Jefferson Davis Parish Economic Development Commission
– Coy G. Myers, a Republican who did not provide further information
– Ivy Woods, an independent candidate and Jefferson Davis Parish sheriff
As the election date approaches, candidates will likely intensify their campaigns to secure a seat in the Louisiana Legislature, shaping the political landscape in the state.
