Louisiana elected officials now have a green light to use campaign money for Washington Mardi Gras expenses, Louisiana Illuminator writes.
The clarification confirmed by the state Board of Ethics on Friday follows a new law passed earlier this year that explicitly allows candidates and officeholders to cover travel, lodging, tickets, attire and even family costs tied to the annual D.C. celebration. Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden sought the opinion ahead of the 2026 festivities, where he plans to attend in his official capacity.
The ethics board’s prior guidance on such spending was murky, and legislators had criticized investigations into campaign-funded trips.
Washington Mardi Gras—part political networking event, part Louisiana-style celebration—draws hundreds of officials, lobbyists and business leaders each year, generating nearly $600,000 in campaign-related spending in 2024 alone. The ruling effectively formalizes long-standing practice, codifying the event as a legitimate campaign expense rather than a personal indulgence.
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