Happy early Easter! Since I wrote you last, the Louisiana Legislature began its regular session, which lasts from March 11 to June 3. Over 1000 bills have been filed.  You can see my bills here. 

If you are a married same sex couple, or know one, and would like to testify in favor of the marriage equality bill that I filed, please reach out as soon as possible.

Some interesting things have happened or are happening: we killed a bad anti-vaxx bill, insurance debate has begun, there's a huge $$ proposal to Defund Schools, several S&WB bills have started to stir debate, and so much more. Check out the #lalege hashtag on twitter, which is constantly being updated.

Tomorrow, Saturday March 23, is the presidential primary election in Louisiana. You will also be voting on positions for the Louisiana State Democratic Party. Some endorsements and information below. Thank you!

Mandie

SATURDAY MARCH 23RD ELECTIONS

The Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC) elects the chair and executive board of the party. These positions are important, as you know what happened the past few years (not much). If you want to find the names of candidates in any race click here.

I strongly endorse Pamela Steeg for DSCC District 98.  I asked her to do this, and she accepted the challenge! Pamela has many years of experience working for reproductive rights and social justice issues and importantly - fundraising. She is a well respected member of the community, and I am fortunate that she has been a supporter of mine from day one.

The Gambit just posted an article looking at Pamela's DSCC race, noting this about her opponent, Caroline Fayard: "In a 2011 interview with Gambit, [Fayard] described herself as a “a pro-life conservative” and said she didn’t support then-President Barack Obama, though she later said she voted for him. On the Senate campaign trail, she voiced her support for building the Keystone XL oil pipeline." The state party should be looking to the future, not to candidates like Fayard of the past, who former Governor Edwards called "wrong and irresponsible." (ikr?)

CLICK TO A WATCH SHORT CLIP ABOUT WHY I AM SUPPORTING PAMELA STEEG

Britain Forsyth is everyone's best friend. My mom is saying novenas for his campaign right now, and his mom is cooking gumbo for tomorrow's election day activities. That's just what happens if you know Britain! He's currently an organizer with Step Up, and has experience on several individual campaigns (including all of mine), issue campaigns, and has organized at the capitol numerous times. I have worked with him personally on bills. This is an important position and it is important that Britain is elected District 91 DSCC.

BRITAIN FORSYTH #918 FOR DSCC

If you live in another DSCC district, please check out reform group Blue Reboot's campaign. They are a reform group that has been working on these races. I do not know and cannot vouch for all of their candidates, but I know that the group has been working very hard.

ORLEANS PARISH DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (OPDEC)

The Democratic Parish Executive Committees (DPECs) are supposed to do voter registration, recruiting, and the like in each parish. I recruited my friend Lamont Hayes to run for OPDEC in District B. I have known him, his wife, and their great kids for over a decade. He's currently the president of the Irish Channel Neighborhood Association, and works for the World War 2 Museum. In the past he was at Xavier and the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation. We need more "regular" folks in politics like Lamont.

LAMONT HAYES #111 FOR OPDEC DISTRICT B

I am not recommending 14 names for each OPDEC district. It has become complicated and difficult given the number of people running. :/ Here are some suggestions. I've left off ALL elected officials. If you have questions or want to know who NOT to vote for, please reach out to me.

OPDEC A - Michelle Erenberg, Mary Anne Mushatt, Elizabeth Sangisetty

OPDEC B - Michelle Anderson, Artelia Bennett Banks, Justin Boone, Danae Columbus, Lamont Hayes, Michelle Johnson, Greg Manning, Drew Prestridge, Ron Sholes, Jack Sweeney

OPDEC C - Charles Bini, Delwin Davis, Devin Davis, David Flemings

OPDEC D - Kenn Barnes, Belden Batiste, Morgan Clevenger, Adonis Expose, SarahJane Guidry, Chanel Payne, Lionel Scott, Dominic Willard



OPDEC E - Norris Henderson, Kenya Rounds, Petrice Sentino, Cynthia Willard Lewis

I'm still doing my legislative videos:

District 91 is home to several breweries that have great food and are kid-friendly. Last Friday Lennon and I had fish tacos and Fanta at Port Orleans on Tchoupitoulas.

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