A special election will take place on February 7, 2024, to fill five vacant positions in the Louisiana Legislature. This election comes after several lawmakers resigned from their posts in recent months to pursue new opportunities. The election will include four open seats in the Louisiana House and one in the Louisiana Senate.
Former state senator Joseph Bouie Jr. vacated his District 3 Senate seat after accepting a position as chancellor at Southern University at New Orleans. In addition, two lawmakers from New Orleans, Jason Hughes and Matthew Willard, stepped down from their House seats after being elected to the City Council. Also resigning was Chad Brown, who left his role as state representative for Iberville and Assumption parishes to accept the position of commissioner for the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Lastly, former representative Troy Romero resigned earlier this month, though he has not yet disclosed his future plans.
Candidates will compete in the primary election on February 7. Should no candidate secure a majority of the vote, a runoff will be held on March 14. The deadline for candidate qualification closed on Friday afternoon, revealing a diverse field of contenders.
Candidates for Senate District 3
In the race for the Senate District 3 seat, which encompasses Orleans and St. Bernard parishes, five Democratic candidates have entered the fray:
– Kenn Barnes, a personal injury and criminal defense attorney
– Sidney J. Barthelemy II, 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 an electrical workers union chapter
– Arthur A. Morrell, former criminal district court clerk and state representative
Candidates for House Districts
The election also features competitive races for several House districts, all with Democratic candidates.
In House District 100, which serves Orleans Parish, six candidates are vying for the seat:
– 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 and New Orleans East resident
For House District 97, also in Orleans Parish, three candidates are running:
– David Edward Cook, a private investigator
– Eugene Green, a property management consultant and son of city council member Eugene Green II
– Ed T. Murray, a personal injury attorney
In House District 60, serving Assumption and Iberville parishes, candidates include:
– Brad Daigle, a Republican small business owner and Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission member
– Chasity Verret Martinez, a Democrat serving on the Iberville Parish Council
– Raheem Pierce, a Democrat and Iberville Parish Council member
Finally, House District 37, covering Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis parishes, sees 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 has not provided further details about his candidacy
– Ivy Woods, an independent candidate and sheriff of Jefferson Davis Parish
The upcoming special election will serve as a significant opportunity for voters in Louisiana to influence their legislative representation and address local issues through their elected officials.
