Senator John “Jay” Morris, while facilitating Meta’s Hyperion datacenter project in Louisiana, engaged in the buying and selling of land surrounding the development. This included selling hundreds of acres to Entergy for a power plant to supply the datacenter, raising concerns about potential ethics violations. Experts suggest his actions, which involved legislative support for the project and subsequent land deals, may contravene laws prohibiting officials from benefiting financially from their public duties. Morris denies any wrongdoing, stating his land holdings are public record and the legislation he supported was broadly applicable.
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Marshan Camese, who gained significant attention for his strong critique of Louisiana’s proposed congressional map redraw, is now considering a run for public office. Camese’s impassioned speech at a state Senate committee meeting, where he criticized the plan as a continuation of confederate ideology, resonated widely online. The proposed map, which reduces the number of Democrat-majority districts, follows a weakening of the Voting Rights Act and a suspension of primary elections. Camese expressed his distrust of traditional Democratic platforms for a campaign, seeking guidance from progressive figures like Bernie Sanders or David Hogg.
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The political landscape in Louisiana has seen a significant shift with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy reportedly losing his primary bid, a development projected by DDHQ. This outcome suggests a potent undercurrent within the Republican party, one that appears increasingly unforgiving of perceived disloyalty to its dominant figure. The narrative emerging is one where politicians who have ostensibly “sold their souls” to the prevailing winds of the party are finding that such allegiances do not guarantee their political survival when they deviate, even slightly, from the party line as dictated by its most prominent leader.
It’s a stark reminder that in many political spheres today, particularly within the Republican party as evidenced by this situation, loyalty is paramount, and deviation can be met with swift and decisive electoral consequences.… Continue reading
Louisiana Republicans have abolished the elected position of Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court, days before Calvin Duncan, an exoneree who overwhelmingly won the seat, was scheduled to take office. Governor Jeff Landry signed the legislation, which Republicans claim will improve judicial efficiency and cut costs by consolidating the civil and criminal clerk positions. Democrats, however, view this as government overreach and an infringement on the voting decisions of a predominantly Black parish, particularly affecting Duncan who was wrongfully convicted and served nearly 30 years in prison. Duncan has vowed to fight the change, asserting it undermines the will of the voters and could lead to disenfranchisement.
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In response to the Supreme Court’s decision weakening Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, Louisiana’s Republican Governor Jeff Landry suspended the state’s US House primaries. This executive order, issued just as early voting was to commence, directs the legislature to redraw congressional maps, a move critics condemn as an attempt to disenfranchise Black voters and rig elections. This action is seen by opponents as a precursor to broader efforts by Republicans to manipulate election outcomes and avoid accountability for policy failures. The suspension and redrawing of maps are expected to benefit Republicans by potentially securing additional House seats.
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The recent Supreme Court decision has certainly thrown a wrench into the plans for some Louisiana Republicans, who are now reportedly weighing the possibility of canceling their US House primary elections. This is a rather dramatic development, stemming from a redistricting case and the potential implications of the Court’s ruling. Essentially, the core of the issue seems to be about how congressional districts are drawn and whether existing maps, or potential new ones, can be used in the upcoming elections.
The rationale behind this consideration of canceling primaries appears to be linked to the Supreme Court’s decision, which has apparently given a green light for certain redistricting approaches that might not have been as favorable before.… Continue reading
It appears that Louisiana’s governor is planning to suspend the state’s May primary elections, a move aimed at redrawing the map for its six U.S. House seats. The Washington Post has reported on this development, which raises significant questions about democratic processes and representation, particularly in light of a recent Supreme Court decision that weakened the Voting Rights Act.
The timing of this proposed suspension and map redrawing is particularly noteworthy. Louisiana’s population is roughly one-third Black, yet the current House map has historically featured only one majority-Black district. The implication of these actions, especially after the Supreme Court’s ruling, suggests a potential move towards racial gerrymandering, where electoral districts are manipulated to dilute the voting power of minority groups.… Continue reading
Democrat Chasity Verret Martinez has secured a significant victory, winning the special election for Louisiana State House District 60 and replacing outgoing representative Chad Brown. Martinez, a member of the Iberville Parish Council, decisively defeated Republican challenger Brad Daigle with 62% of the vote to Daigle’s 38%. This win is particularly noteworthy given the district’s recent electoral history.
District 60, while considered somewhat purple, has shown a tendency to lean Republican in presidential elections, having voted for Donald Trump in his past three contests. However, the district also demonstrated a capacity for bipartisanship, swinging back to support Governor John Bel Edwards in his 2019 Democratic reelection bid.… Continue reading
Helena Moreno, a New Orleans city councilmember, won the mayoral election on Saturday with 55% of the vote, succeeding LaToya Cantrell. Moreno’s victory over fellow councilmember Oliver Thomas and State Sen. Royce Duplessis ensures she avoids a runoff and will assume office in January. Cantrell’s tenure, marked by controversy and federal corruption charges, ends after two terms, during which she was the city’s first female mayor. Moreno’s campaign focused on public safety, economic development, and improved city services, and she opposes the potential deployment of federal troops to the city.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood