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Term-limited Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is one of the last prominent members of an increasingly rare breed in the South: a white, rural, populist Democrat. Obviously, Louisiana’s politics have shifted in the 23 years since he first joined the PSC.
Looking to replace him as north Louisiana’s representative on the powerful regulatory body are an establishment Republican, two Democrats who hope the district is still winnable for their party, and a teenage Republican who you might be hearing about long after this race is over.
Party primaries in the race are set for May 16.
Caddo Parish Commissioner John Atkins is from the northwestern part of the state and is in his third term in office, so he figures his name recognition is pretty strong in his region.
“We still have lots of work to do in other parts of the district,” he says.
Atkins says his experience working on organizational structure and deregulation for electric utilities as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company gives him a base of knowledge that he would bring to the PSC. He has a master’s degree in finance and manages a portfolio of oil and gas and timber investments.
The Democratic State Central Committee has endorsed James Green, a pastor who serves on the Shreveport City Council. Green did not respond to interview requests for this story.
According to a Shreveport Times report, Green said his priorities include lower utility bills, reliable infrastructure, and equality for north Louisiana and underserved communities.
Also seeking the Democratic nomination is Austin Lawson, a server and bartender running for office for the first time. He got involved with local activism through the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
