Though congratulations are due to new members of the Louisiana Legislature who were elected over the weekend, and to one who went into his seat unopposed last month, Jeremy Alford says what we should be sending their way are condolences.
“They’re walking right into one of the most contentious legislative sessions in recent memory,” Alford writes in his latest column. “Freshmen of the smallest degree possible, they’ll likely be given committee assignments no other members wanted—not because the committees are low in the political pecking order, but because they’re tackling serious third-rail issues this year. Few already in the body wanted the grief.”
They’ll also be serving the shortest of terms, Alford notes. While their colleagues have had four years to build their re-election brands, the new members have only a few months to cobble together a message of legislative experience in advance of the fall elections.
“How did they get themselves into this pickle? They’re replacing lawmakers who have moved on, following special elections that were called in four different areas of the state,” Alford writes. “Three of those special elections have already been decided while one is headed to a March 28 runoff.”
The runoff is in Baton Rouge, pitting Metro Council Member Buddy Amoroso against Darrell Ourso, a former Metro Council member. It could be a close race, Alford says.
“The overarching challenge they all face will be revealed Friday when Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration presents its 2015-2016 budget proposal,” he writes.
Jeremy Alford publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com. Follow him on Twitter, or on Facebook. He can be reached at JJA@LaPolitics.com.
