DFER LA PAC Announces 41 Endorsements for 2019 Statewide Elections

DFER LA PAC Announces 41 Endorsements  for 2019 Statewide Elections DFER LA PAC will also support Governor Edwards re-election effort Election Day is Sat., October 12th; Early Voting is September 28th-October 5th NEW ORLEANS, LA– Today, Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana announces endorsements for 41 candidates from across the state who are seeking a seat in the Louisiana Legislature and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), as well as Governor John Bel Edwards in his re-election effort.  DFER LA State Director, Eva Kemp released the following statement alongside these endorsements: “Since 2017, DFER Louisiana has worked to recruit and train Democrats of all stripes across Louisiana to run for the Legislature this year. Through the recruitment and endorsement process, DFER LA PAC has chosen to support leaders who champion high-quality public school options for every student across Louisiana, no matter their zip code. We believe that the Democratic Party should be the party that champions opportunity, excellence and equity for Louisiana’s school children. This year’s election cycle provides an opportunity to elect Democrats who will support issues and policies that do just that.”  For the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), DFER LA PAC is endorsing:
  • BESE District 2:   Kira Orange Jones; and
  • BESE District 8:   Preston Castille.
For the Louisiana Senate, DFER LA PAC is endorsing: 
  • Senate District 2:     Sen. Edward “Ed” Price; 
  • Senate District 3:     Rep. John H. Bagneris and Brandon Gregoire; 
  • Senate District 5:     Sen. Karen Carter Peterson; 
  • Senate District 12:   Darrell Fairburn;
  • Senate District 14:   former Sen. Cleo Fields;
  • Senate District 16:   Beverly Brooks Thompson; 
  • Senate District 24:   Sen. Gerald Boudreaux;
  • Senate District 28:   Rep. Robert Johnson; 
  • Senate District 29:   Sen. Jay Luneau; 
  • Senate District 38:   Katrina D. Early; and
  • Senate District 39:   Sen. Gregory Tarver.
For the Louisiana House of Representatives, DFER LA PAC is endorsing:
  • House District 3:   Daryl Joy Walters; 
  • House District 10: Creighton Wilson; 
  • House District 16: Alicia “Cocoa” Calvin and Frederick D. Jones;
  • House District 18: Rep. Jeremy S. LaCombe; 
  • House District 21: C. Travis Johnson; 
  • House District 28: Marcus Johnson and Donald Milligan; 
  • House District 32: former Rep. Herman Ray Hill; 
  • House District 34: Kevin D. Guidry;
  • House District 38: “Phil Cowboy” Lemoine;
  • House District 40: Rep. Dustin Miller;
  • House District 58: Rep. “Ken” Brass; 
  • House District 63: Rep. Barbara West Carpenter and former Rep. Dalton Honore;
  • House District 66: Morgan Lamandre; 
  • House District 67: Leah Cullins and Larry Selders;
  • House District 68: Taryn C. Branson;
  • House District 75: Rep. Malinda Brumfield White;
  • House District 83: James C. Simmons, Jr.; 
  • House District 87: Rep. Rodney Lyons Sr.;
  • House District 91: Carling Dinkler IV; 
  • House District 97: Ethan Ashley;
  • House District 99: Adonis C. Exposé; and
  • House District 100: Jason Hughes.
“DFER LA PAC also endorses Governor John Bel Edwards as he seeks re-election. Governor Edwards has championed commonsense policies that benefit Louisiana’s students and families both inside and outside of the classroom, including a permanent teacher pay raise and an increase in the per pupil funding for K-12 schools, eliminating corporal punishment for students with exceptionalities, overhauling Louisiana’s criminal justice system, and expanding Medicaid for Louisianans,” said Kemp. “We will work alongside Democrats from across the state to ensure Governor Edwards has four more years to move Louisiana forward and make it a better place for us all to live.” The primary election for the Legislature, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Governor’s race and other statewide races will be on Saturday, Oct. 12. Early voting will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 through Saturday, Oct. 5 (except Sunday, Sept. 29) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. ### Contact: Leslie Leavoy, leslie@dfer.org

DFER LA Congratulates New Representatives Following Special Election Runoff Results

DFER LA Congratulates New Representatives Following Special Election Runoff Results

DFER LA endorsed Pat Moore in HD17 & Jeremy Lacombe in HD18; both winning with over 60% of the vote

 NEW ORLEANS, LA– Following the results of the special election runoffs across the state last night, Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana’s State Director, Eva Kemp, released the following statement:

“We are excited to congratulate both Jeremy LaCombe and Pat Moore on winning their elections last night,” said Kemp. “Both of these leaders are dedicated to improving public education outcomes for all students in Louisiana and will be valuable additions to the Legislature. We look forward to working with them during this upcoming Regular Session.”

In February, DFER LA endorsed Jeremy Lacombe for the crowded special election race in House District 18. LaCombe finished first in the primary, and won the runoff with 69% of the vote.

DFER LA also supported Pat Moore House District 17. Moore finished first in her primary as well, and won last night with 63% of the vote.

DFER LA’s counterpart, Education Reform Now Advocacy, a 501c4 organization, also ran independent expenditure campaigns in both races.

Detailed results of all elections held yesterday can be viewed here on the Secretary of State’s website.

“At DFER, we believe that elected leaders hold the power to make the changes needed to ensure that students are put first when policies in education are made. We are committed and proud to support the candidates who won their elections throughout this special election cycle, and we look forward to working with them in the Legislature,” said Kemp. “As the fall 2019 election cycle draws near, DFER LA looks forward to supporting more progressive leaders who champion Louisiana’s public schools, families and students.”

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Contact: Leslie Leavoy; leslie@dfer.org

DFER LA Releases Statement on Recent Special Election Results

DFER LA Releases Statement on Recent Special Election Results
DFER LA endorsed Jeremy Lacombe for HD18; LaCombe makes runoff with 43%
Runoff election to be held March 30

NEW ORLEANS, LA– Following the reported results of various special elections across the state last night, Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana’s State Director, Eva Kemp, released the following statement:

“We are excited to congratulate Jeremy LaCombe on finishing first in the runoff last night,” said Kemp. “Jeremy has made improving public education a top priority and will be a valuable addition to the Legislature. We look forward to supporting him during the runoff election.”

Earlier this month, DFER LA endorsed Jeremy LaCombe for the crowded special election race in House District 18. LaCombe finished first last night with 43% of the vote, with Republican Tammi Fabre finishing second with 23% of the vote. The runoff election will be held on Saturday, March 30.

There were seven special elections across the state last night to fill vacant seats in the state House of Representatives, including the 12th, 17th, 18th, 26th, 27th, 47th and 62nd Representative Districts. Detailed results of those elections can be viewed here on the Secretary of State’s website.

DFER-LA PAC also supported Pat Moore House District 17. In that race, Democrats Pat Moore (49%) and Rodney McFarland (34%) advanced to the runoff.

“We congratulate the four Democrats who either won outright or advanced to the runoff in House Districts 17, 18, and 26,” said Kemp. “It’s critical to have more progressive voices in the statehouse to advocate for common sense solutions that impact students and families across the state inside and outside the classroom.”

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Mary Landrieu’s Statement Secretary Arne Duncan’s Departure

Current ERN advisor and former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) released the following statement on today’s news of Secretary Arne Duncan’s departure:

“Arnie Duncan was a powerful and effective advocate for students that need and deserve great schools. He was a leader open to new ideas but firm on his call for excellence and true opportunity for every student. His leadership at the Education Department will be missed, but I have confidence he will stay fully engaged in this important challenge for our country.”

RELEASE: Democrats For Education Reform Opens Chapter in Louisiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Baton Rouge, La — This month, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) began work to establish a chapter in Louisiana. DFER is a non-profit organization comprised of progressive Democrats working to cultivate and support Democratic leaders to champion the needs and interests of our nation’s public schoolchildren. DFER aims to encourage members of the Democratic party to embrace education reform and be champions of students, especially those stuck in persistently failing schools. Formed in 2007, DFER operates in 14 states across the country, working with education leaders to combat the decline of our education system and standing up for our most vulnerable citizens.

DFER announced today that it has hired Eva Kemp-Melder to serve as the Louisiana State Director. Kemp-Melder comes to DFER from the office of United States Senator Mary Landrieu, where she advised the former senior senator on education policy, including high quality charter school development, early childhood expansion, and higher education affordability.

“Eva has spent her career working with and for the students of Louisiana. From her time in the classroom, as a candidate, and on Capitol Hill, she has demonstrated her dedication to challenging the status quo and advocating for the interests of students,” said Joe Williams, DFER’s executive director. “With her unique experience at the local, state and federal levels, she promises to lend a valuable perspective to support pragmatic progressives that champion high quality public education.”

Raised in Hammond, La, Kemp-Melder attended Louisiana State University and began her career in education as a fourth grade teacher in Baton Rouge. Later, she worked as a literacy coach in Jackson, La and earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration from LSU. Eva also served at the Louisiana Department of Education and the Recovery School District focusing on school turnaround policies, enrollment and portfolio planning. After graduate school, Eva moved to Washington, D.C. in 2013 to work as a legislative assistant in Senator Landrieu’s office.

“As DFER’s state director, I will continue to work to build an education system that provides rigorous, high quality opportunities for all children,” Kemp-Melder said, “Louisiana has been a leader in education reform for years, but there is still a long way to go. We can continue to do better and our students in Louisiana deserve better. There are so many great partners and leaders working on behalf of Louisiana’s schoolchildren and I look forward to working with all of them.”

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Contact: eva@dfer.org

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