A special election in Louisiana is scheduled for February 7, 2024, to fill five vacant seats in the state legislature. Four of these vacancies are in the Louisiana House of Representatives, while one seat is in the Louisiana Senate. The resignations of several lawmakers this fall prompted the need for this election, as they have transitioned to new positions.
Former state Senator Joseph Bouie Jr. resigned his position in District 3 after accepting the role of chancellor at Southern University at New Orleans. Additionally, Jason Hughes and Matthew Willard left their seats in the Louisiana House following their election to the New Orleans City Council. State Representative Chad Brown, who represented Iberville and Assumption parishes, stepped down after being appointed commissioner of the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Former Representative Troy Romero also vacated his seat earlier this month without announcing his future plans.
Candidates for these vacant positions will compete in the upcoming primary, with a runoff scheduled for March 14, 2024, if necessary. Qualifying for the election closed on Friday, and the candidates in each district have now been confirmed.
Candidates for Senate District 3
In Senate District 3, which encompasses Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes, five candidates have declared their candidacy, all running as Democrats. They are:
– Kenn Barnes, a personal injury and criminal defense attorney
– Sidney J. Barthelemy II, owner of a construction firm 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, a former criminal district court clerk and state representative
Candidates for House Districts
The race for House District 100, located in Orleans Parish, features six Democratic candidates:
– 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 resident of New Orleans East
In House District 97, also in Orleans Parish, three Democrats are competing:
– David Edward Cook, a private investigator
– Eugene Green, a property management consultant and son of New Orleans City Council member Eugene Green II
– Ed T. Murray, a personal injury attorney
House District 60, covering Assumption and Iberville parishes, sees 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
Finally, House District 37, which includes Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis parishes, features three 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 responded to requests for information
– Ivy Woods, running without party affiliation and currently serving as Jefferson Davis Parish sheriff
As the election date approaches, candidates will focus on their platforms and outreach efforts to engage voters in their respective districts.
