State of Louisiana Archives: on Government Reform
Buddy Roemer:
Won Governor & House seat with voluntary contribution limit
Roemer is back, making an improbable run at the 2012 GOP nomination for president. Roemer, who plays down his Harvard MBA in favor of a folksy, fresh-off-the-family-cotton-farm demeanor, impressed some political observers with a forceful speech at an
Iowa candidate forum last week. His biggest applause line: a "declaration of independence" from special interests, punctuated by his pledge to take no political action committee money--and no donation at all greater than $100.
The other potential candidates, "they've got PACs and they've got airplanes," Roemer told the crowd. "All I've got is me and you. I think it's enough."
Roemer has gotten by before without big money. He served four terms in the House in the
1980s and was one of the few members of Congress to decline PAC money. He voluntarily set strict campaign-contribution limits during his successful run for governor in 1987.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, "Longshot from Louisiana"
Mar 16, 2011
David Vitter:
Term limits instead of automatic pay raises for Congress
Vitter's well-publicized efforts to pass bills to block automatic cost of living congressional pay increases, while never adopted, may have contributed to Congressional votes over each of the last six years to forego the pay hikes.
His persistent bills to set term limits for members of Congress never went anywhere, unlike when he won a term limit constitutional amendment, but angered some colleagues, just as they did in the Louisiana Legislature.
Source: Times-Picayune coverage of 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
May 29, 2015
David Vitter:
Led and won the fight for state term limits
As a state legislator, David led the fight for term limits against great odds--and won.
He filed ethics complaints against illegal good ole boy deals--and won. And he cut wasteful spending and kept violent criminals in jail longer.
Source: 2015 Louisiana Governor campaign website, DavidVitter.com
Aug 11, 2015
Eddie Rispone:
Need to change process of funding infrastructure repair
We can make several changes that will put our tax dollars to work for roads and bridges. Stop using the hundreds of millions in gas tax dollars to pay for government bureaucrats. Reform the state's capital outlay program and take politics out of the
process. Each funding request must be accompanied by a cost-benefit analysis so we can prioritize. By leveraging available funds with matching federal dollars, we can begin to fix our infrastructure problems.
Source: 225 Magazine on 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 30, 2019
Foster Campbell:
10 year ban on lobbying for ex-members of congress
Q: Please explain your top priorities if elected.
A: Equal Pay for Women; Raising the Minimum Wage; 10 year ban on lobbying for ex-members of congress
Source: VoteSmart 2016 Louisiana Senate Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2016
Foster Campbell:
Increase legislator limit from 5 bills to 15 per session
Legislative Digest: Constitutional amendment to limit the number of bills a legislator may introduce for a regular session of the legislature to 15. Present constitution provides that any number of bills may be pre-filed before the
first day of regular session, and specifies that after the prefiling deadline, no member may introduce more than 5 bills, except as provided by joint rule. Proposed constitutional amendment limits the number of bills a legislator may introduce for
a regular legislative session to 15 except that there shall be no limit on the introduction of bills requested by the executive branch or judicial branch, or bills to repeal law. Limits number of bills requested by executive departments to
10 bills and provides that bills requested by executive departments are not to be included in a legislator's individual limit.Legislative Outcome: Died in House committee. (SB5 authored by Senator Foster Campbell)
Source: Louisiana 2001 legislative voting records: SB5
Jan 22, 2001
Foster Campbell:
Bar election officials from campaigning for candidates
Legislative Digest:Proposed constitutional amendment prohibits the secretary of state and the commissioner of elections from participating or engaging in any political activity, making or soliciting any contributions for any political
party, faction, or candidate, or taking an active part in the management of the affairs of a political party, faction, candidate, or any political campaign in any election which is supervised, regulated or conducted by their offices.
Proposed constitutional amendment defines "political activity" to mean an effort to support or oppose the election of a candidate for political office or to support a particular political party in an election. Specifies that the support of issues
involving bonded indebtedness, tax referenda, or constitutional amendments is not to be prohibited. Legislative Outcome: Failed Senate final passage. (SB241 authored by Senator Foster Campbell)
Source: Louisiana 2002 legislative voting records: SB241
Apr 30, 2002
Garret Graves:
Require photo ID for voting
Q: People should be able to vote without photo identification?
GRAVES: Strongly Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Jay Dardenne:
Don't bring dysfunctional Washington politics to Louisiana
Republican Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne is making an issue of Sen. David Vitter's "ineffective" congressional record. Dardenne insists that Louisiana voters don't like the "dysfunction," in Washington and that Vitter has been a major contributor to the partisan
divisions that often paralyze Congress: "You have to wonder how effective he is going to be as governor when he couldn't get much done when he served in the State Legislature, in the House of Representatives and in the United States Senate,"
Dardenne said. "We don't want to bring Washington politics to Louisiana."Vitter's spokesman said his boss is anything but ineffective, working with Democrats & fellow Republicans to move legislation important to the nation and the state of Louisiana.
He points to the Water Resources and Development Act, with key hurricane protection; the chemical safety bill; a long-term highway funding bill; and a bill barring the federal government from coercing or incentivizing states to adopt Common Core.
Source: Times-Picayune coverage of 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
May 29, 2015
Jay Dardenne:
Tighten disclosure rules for lobbyists, to limit influence
There is simply too much money being spent to influence lawmakers. Since 2009, lobbyists have spent more than $3 million entertaining legislators and executive branch employees. However, only 21% of the lobbyist filings name the individual on whom the
money was spent. There will always be money in politics--it is a fact of life. But we should do more to ensure that money doesn't have a corrupting influence. As Governor, I will:- Force lobbyists to identify individual lawmakers or government
employees who they spend money entertaining.
- End the practice of candidates and officeholders using campaign contributions for personal perks.
- Tighten the rules allowing communication and coordination between candidates, their campaigns, and Super
PACs that support them.
- Stop the revolving door between government and lobbyists by expanding lobbying prohibitions.
- Ban state employees from immediately going to work for companies that receive state contracts.
Source: 2015 Louisiana Governor's campaign website JayDardenne.com
Sep 9, 2015
John Bel Edwards:
Require voter ID; require proof of citizenship
Voting Rules: Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements or reduced registration times, even if they prevent some people from voting?Abraham: Probable yes. Voted against Democratic HR 1 Act that would expand voter registration & votin
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Guide to 2019 Louisiana Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
John Bel Edwards:
Favored sweeping tort reform making it harder to sue
HB57: Creates the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 which:- reduces the threshold for a jury trial,
- transfers cases to district courts,
- provides for evidence of medical expense payments, and
- repeals the limitation on presenting evidence of
the failure to wear a safety belt.
Analysis by the Baton Rouge Advocate (Jun 30, 2020):Business and insurance interests and their mostly Republican supporters supported sweeping changes to evidence laws that would reduce the number
of court cases and limit the awards of people who seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else. Lawyers, healthcare providers and their mostly Democratic allies who opposed sweeping tort reform counter that the changes would make court cases so
difficult that injured people will be more likely to accept insurance companies' offers.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 78-22-4 on Jun/15/20; Passed Senate 29-9-1 on Jun/22/20; Signed by Governor Jul/13/20
Source: The Advocate on Louisiana legislative voting records HB57
Jul 13, 2020
John Bel Edwards:
Vetoed Congressional redistricting for racial imbalance
The current demographic makeup of our state shows that the percentage of African American population has grown over the last 10 years and yet, while numerous maps were filed reflecting this growth, none of these maps made it to my desk.
The most egregious in my view is the Congressional map because there are half as many majority minority districts as the law, basic fairness and I believe basic math require. Therefore, I vetoed the Congressional bill.
Having personally witnessed redistricting twice now, I can say that the current process is not working. That is why I am supporting legislation to establish an independent redistricting commission to support the
Legislature in reapportionment for future redistricting. 18 other states have some type of commission, and I think we should be the 19th.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
John Neely Kennedy:
No pay-for-play; campaign contributions notwithstanding
Landrieu questioned why Kennedy would take more than $350,000 in campaign contributions from businesses and individuals who had projects before the Bond Commission, which Kennedy chairs.
Landrieu suggested that was an impropriety since Kennedy can decide what projects appear on commission agendas each month. "There's a lot of talk around Louisiana about how you get on the agenda," Landrieu said.
Kennedy denied any pay-for-play suggestions, and he said he was glad to compare his record to Landrieu's campaign contributions, which he said include $300,000 from Wall Street firms and more than
$200,000 from executives with collapsed mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. "Sen. Landrieu criticizing my fundraising is a little bit like being called vain by Donald Trump," Kennedy said.
Source: Associated Press on NOLA.com on 2008 Louisiana Senate Debate
Oct 16, 2008
Lance Harris:
Favored sweeping tort reform making it harder to sue
HB57: Creates the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 which:- reduces the threshold for a jury trial,
- transfers cases to district courts,
- provides for evidence of medical expense payments, and
- repeals the limitation on presenting evidence of
the failure to wear a safety belt.
Analysis by the Baton Rouge Advocate (Jun 30, 2020):Business and insurance interests and their mostly Republican supporters supported sweeping changes to evidence laws that would reduce the number
of court cases and limit the awards of people who seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else. Lawyers, healthcare providers and their mostly Democratic allies who opposed sweeping tort reform counter that the changes would make court cases so
difficult that injured people will be more likely to accept insurance companies' offers.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 78-22-4 on 6/15/20; Rep. Harris co-sponsored and voted YES; Passed Senate 29-9-1 on 6/22; Signed by Governor 7/13.
Source: The Advocate on Louisiana legislative voting records HB57
Jun 15, 2020
Mary Landrieu:
I have delivered for Louisiana; send me back for more
In past debates Kennedy opened by aligning himself with John McCain, but [in this debate] he described his ideas for re-establishing economic stability in the financial markets and the
US economy, an attempt to take control of an issue widely considered a drag on GOP candidates nationwide. "I know many of you are scared. Don't be. Be concerned, be angry, but don't be scared,"
Kennedy said. "We will survive this economic crisis."Landrieu, meanwhile, continued to push herself as a centrist senator who works across party lines and has brought home billions of dollars in aid to
Louisiana during her 12 years in Congress, particularly since the blows of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. "Send me back to continue to fight for you, to deliver for you," she said.
Source: Associated Press on NOLA.com on 2008 Louisiana Senate Debate
Oct 16, 2008
Ralph Abraham:
Require photo ID for voting
Q: People should be able to vote without photo identification?
ABRAHAM: Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Ralph Abraham:
Term limits for Congress, plus no salary
No Career Politicians: Men and women should serve in Congress to give back to their communities and not consider it a profession. I support term limits for Members of Congress.No Salary: It should be an honor and a privilege
to serve your country and NOT a paid position. If law dictates a salary, then I will donate the salary ($174,000/year) to charities; YOU should not pay a penny for representation.
Source: 2014 Louisiana House campaign website, RalphAbraham.com
Dec 5, 2014
Thomas Clements:
Term limits for Congress; but voter ID too
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Make voter registration easier"?
A: Congress Term Limits with Voter ID laws required.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Louisiana Senate race by OnTheIssues
Jul 31, 2016
Troy Carter:
Opposed sweeping tort reform making it harder to sue
HB57: Creates the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 which:- reduces the threshold for a jury trial,
- transfers cases to district courts,
- provides for evidence of medical expense payments, and
- repeals the limitation on presenting evidence of
the failure to wear a safety belt.
Analysis by the Baton Rouge Advocate (Jun 30, 2020):Business and insurance interests and their mostly Republican supporters supported sweeping changes to evidence laws that would reduce the number
of court cases and limit the awards of people who seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else. Lawyers, healthcare providers and their mostly Democratic allies who opposed sweeping tort reform counter that the changes would make court cases so
difficult that injured people will be more likely to accept insurance companies' offers.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 78-22-4 on Jun/15/20; Passed Senate 29-9-1 on Jun/22/20; State Sen. Carter voted NO; Signed by Governor Jul/13/20
Source: The Advocate on Louisiana legislative voting records HB57
Jun 22, 2020
John Neely Kennedy:
2020 election had a lot of tomfoolery and shenanigans
Kennedy objected to the certification of Biden's victory in Arizona, though Kennedy voted to certify Biden's victory in Pennsylvania. Kennedy has tried to differentiate himself from congressional colleagues who wanted to overturn the entire election.
He said that he chose to object only to Biden's victory in Arizona because Biden would still have prevailed without that state's 11 electoral votes. Nonetheless, Kennedy still attempted to override the will of millions of Americans. And he has broadly
questioned the legitimacy of the election as a whole.Days before the votes on January 6, 2021, Kennedy said: "By any measure, the allegations of fraud and irregularities in the 2020 election exceed any in our lifetimes." And in December 2020,
Kennedy sent out a fundraising email, writing that there had been "a lot of tomfoolery and a few too many shenanigans with this election" and that "I'm thinking we may need to take a second look at those ballots and the legitimacy of this election."
Source: CNN on 2020 Election Denial in 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Apr 26, 2022
Luke Mixon:
Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act; combat voter suppression
Voting is our birthright as Americans. Yet, we are seeing states enact laws that make it harder for Americans to exercise this fundamental right. Senator Kennedy consistently opposes measures to protect voting rights. We must pass the
John Lewis Voting Rights Act to combat voter suppression and ensure the right to vote remains intact, and I support a carve out in the filibuster to protect this most sacred right for all Americans.
Source: 2022 Louisiana Senate campaign website LukeMixon.com
Oct 12, 2022
Jeff Landry:
Over-regulation imposes hefty costs upon small businesses
He started his own oil and gas environmental service company. He also served as the executive director of the St. Martin Parish Economic Development Authority. During this time, Jeff heard from many local job creators that over-regulation from
burdensome government officials imposes hefty costs upon small businesses across Louisiana. That's why Jeff decided to go to law school--to stand up for business owners and help them succeed in the face of big government.
Source: 2023 Louisiana Gubernatorial campaign website JeffLandry.com
Mar 21, 2023
Jeff Landry:
It is not the government's job to entice people to vote
Jeff Landry is leading a 13-state coalition calling for Joe Biden to rescind his Executive Order 14019 which authorizes the executive branch to carry out voter registration and voter mobilization activities. "The government's job is to
provide an equal opportunity for all eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote, ensure that every legal vote is counted, and keep the process transparent and secure," said Landry. "It is not the government's job to entice people to vote."
Source: 2023 Louisiana Gubernatorial campaign website JeffLandry.com
Mar 21, 2023
John Schroder:
Remove regulatory barriers keeping businesses from growing
As a business owner, I live with business struggles daily. I know what it's like to start a small business and work long hours to scrape by--the headache of dealing with overbearing
governmental regulations or trying to recruit qualified applicants. As Governor, I will work to remove regulatory barriers that keep businesses from growing or locating in our state.
Source: 2023 Louisiana Governor campaign website JohnSchroder.com
Oct 4, 2023
John Schroder:
Demand transparency in all government activity
It is time we reform Louisiana's longtime national reputation, which begins with putting an end to political corruption and cronyism at all levels. We need to demand transparency in all government activity and stop backroom deals,
which let the fat cats get fatter while taxpayers are left holding the bag. I've always had zero tolerance for political corruption and cronyism. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
Source: 2023 Louisiana Governor campaign website JohnSchroder.com
Oct 4, 2023
Sharon Hewitt:
We need LESS government in our lives, not more
The amount of government red tape and bureaucracy is often overwhelming to citizens and a burden to businesses. We need LESS government in our lives, not more. Government should work FOR the people, not the other way around. I will eliminate many of the
licensing requirements that are a barrier to entrepreneurs and do not improve safety. I will stand up and defend your personal freedoms, pushing back against federal overreach, and giving you every opportunity to pursue the American dream.
Source: 2023 Louisiana Governor campaign website SharonHewitt.com
Oct 3, 2023
Sharon Hewitt:
Led discriminatory Congressional redistricting effort
Hewitt led the redistricting effort to redraw a congressional map in Louisiana to continue having only one majority-Black district out of six, despite the fact Black residents account for about one-third of the state's population. That map has been
caught up in litigation for more than a year. Many believe the map will be found unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court found Alabama's map unconstitutional in a similar case. But Hewitt believes the two cases are different.
Source: WWNO 89.9 FM on 2023 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Aug 7, 2023
Sharon Hewitt:
Favored sweeping tort reform making it harder to sue
HB57: Creates the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 which:- reduces the threshold for a jury trial,
- transfers cases to district courts,
- provides for evidence of medical expense payments, and
- repeals the limitation on presenting evidence of
the failure to wear a safety belt.
Analysis by the Baton Rouge Advocate (Jun 30, 2020): Business and insurance interests and their mostly Republican supporters supported sweeping changes to evidence laws that would reduce the number of
court cases and limit the awards of people who seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else. Lawyers, healthcare providers and their mostly Democratic allies who opposed sweeping tort reform counter that the changes would make court cases so
difficult that injured people will be more likely to accept insurance companies' offers.Legislative Outcome: Passed House 78-22-4 on 6/15/20; Passed Senate 29-9-1 on 6/22; State Sen. Sharon Hewitt voted YES; Signed by Governor 7/13.
Source: The Advocate on Louisiana legislative voting records HB57
Jun 22, 2020
Jeff Landry:
Occupational licensing structure made working here difficult
Our occupational licensing structure is a prime example of how we have made working in Louisiana needlessly difficult. We rank the 6th worst state in occupational licensing while licensing 77 of 102 identified occupations. More than any other state.
I urge you to address universally recognize[d] occupational licensures and remove the barriers of employment in Louisiana.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 11, 2024
Jeff Landry:
Reform our bloated, outdated, antiquated state constitution
Speaking of constitutional parameters, it is time for us to open the dialogue about reforming our bloated, outdated, antiquated, and much abused state constitution. In less than 50 years, the legislature has proposed over 300 amendments of which
210 have been incorporated into to the 1974 constitution. By comparison, the state of Massachusetts still uses their very first constitution with only 120 amendments in 244 years. Something is definitely wrong.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 11, 2024
Jeff Landry:
Restrict attorney advertising promising monetary outcomes
However, our minor injury claims are nearly double the national average. This suggests a cultural issue, driven by lawyer advertising that requires correction. We propose legislation to restrict attorney advertising that promises
monetary outcomes through dubious testimonials and deceptive claims for fantastic monetary rewards. The previous governor vetoed this bill. I plan to sign it, as quickly as you can send to my desk.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Apr 14, 2025
John Fleming:
Has no idea if Biden won 2020 election over Trump
A former congressman and current state treasurer candidate said he doesn't know whether President Joe Biden won the 2020 election over Donald Trump. "I believe it was a very close election and I have not been presented with evidence either way," about
the outcome of the race, Republican John Fleming said. "There were venues in which certain precincts, perhaps certain states, didn't follow their own rules and guidelines. But as to how that may have affected the election...I have no idea," he said.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator on 2026 Louisiana Senate race
Aug 9, 2023
Cleo Fields:
Opposed sweeping tort reform making it harder to sue
HB57: Creates the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 which:- reduces the threshold for a jury trial,
- transfers cases to district courts,
- provides for evidence of medical expense payments, and
- repeals the limitation on presenting evidence of
the failure to wear a safety belt.
Analysis by the Baton Rouge Advocate (Jun 30, 2020):Business and insurance interests and their mostly Republican supporters supported sweeping changes to evidence laws that would reduce the number
of court cases and limit the awards of people who seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else. Lawyers, healthcare providers and their mostly Democratic allies who opposed sweeping tort reform counter that the changes would make court cases so
difficult that injured people will be more likely to accept insurance companies' offers.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 78-22-4 on Jun/15/20; Passed Senate 29-9-1 on Jun/22/20; State Sen. Cleo Fields voted NO; Signed by Governor Jul/13/2
Source: The Advocate on Louisiana legislative voting records HB57
Jun 22, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026