Early Voting Begins for March 20th Election
Edwin Buggage Editor-in-Chief
Important Election on March 20th
It is that time again where the Citizens of Louisiana Congressional District 2 will get out to vote to decide who will succeed Cedric Richmond, who is now working in President Biden’s Administration.
The question today is who will voters decide is best suited for the needs of the district? While there are 15 people in this race spanning from political veterans to newcomers and Democrats, Republicans, to no party affiliations.
Louisiana 2nd Congressional District is the state’s only predominantly Black Congressional District. Economically viable, in houses they are both port cities. Conversely, there are a host of problems facing the District; it has the state’s highest unemployment rate, also it ranks as the second lowest in high school graduation rates and median income.
Also, adding to that is the issues surrounding COVID-19 and what that’s done to make these issues worse; furthering the gulf between those who have and those who do not in the in the 2nd Congressional District.
Get Out and Vote…Have a Voice in Who Advocates for the District
It is important that citizens of the District take this Special Election seriously because the District relationship with the federal government is key to getting the resources necessary for it to recovery.
While there is much partisan wrangling in the Washington D.C., the U.S. House of Representatives is majority Democrat; and the person who is elected may possibly have the ear of Richmond, who is able to help amplify and prioritize the cause of the citizens of Louisiana 2nd Congressional District.
15 Candidates, But It May Come Down to Three to Who Will Represent District 2
In a district that is heavily African American and Democrat; there are three candidates that most people are talking about.
From New Orleans, there is Troy Carter, who presently is a State Senator Representing District 7. Over the years he’s held several political posts including State Representative and the New Orleans City Council.
“Experience and accomplishments matter, and in this race, I have the strongest collection of both,” says Carter who presently serves in the Louisiana State Senate and is being endorsed by Cedric Richmond.
Speaking of how experience in getting things done is important and matters, Carter feels this is essential and that he is best suited to bring back the resources to the District.
“Policy matters to me and I believe I can have an impact on the District’s economy, educational system, environment and creating an overall more equitable system. It’s also important to recognize that the District has been uniquely impacted by COVID-19. The next congressional representative must hit the ground running and bring these unique issues to the attention of both the White House and congressional leadership immediately.”
Carter is receiving endorsements from a cross section of supporters across the District and those in leadership in D.C.
“Having been endorsed by majority whip Clyburn, caucus chair Jeffries, and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Beatty shows that I will have the ear of leadership in the House from day one. Obviously, having the endorsement of Cedric Richmond, Senior Advisor and Director of the Office of Public Engagement demonstrates my ability to put the district’s priorities in front of the President.”
Speak of his platform and priorities Carter says, “Currently, the district’s recovery from COVID-19 has to be the top priority, including equitable access to vaccines. This doesn’t change my priorities though because COVID-19 has exposed the issues we all know needed to be worked on already. We need better educational opportunities, to raise the minimum wage, expand economic opportunity, improve healthcare access, provide equal pay and to improve our environment.”
Of course, the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to wreak havoc on individuals, families, businesses and affecting people in ways that are devastating. With questions of how a recovery will look for the citizens of Louisiana 2nd Congressional District.
“COVID-19 has created unimaginable tragedies in our community and that must be recognized. Out of tragedy comes opportunity because now everyone has had to confront the problems that many ignored for years. Recovery provides the opportunity to repair and build in a new and better way.”
Also from New Orleans is Karen Carter Peterson, who is also a Louisiana State Senator representing the 5th District. She’s also served as a State Representative and was Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party.
“Right now, the 2nd Congressional District is being tested like never before, and we need a tested leader who will fight for the just recovery our people need. I’m proud to have a proven track record of standing up and getting things done for working families and small businesses when they needed it most,” says Carter-Peterson.
Speaking of her leadership ability and record of getting results she says, “After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, I served as Chair of the Hurricane Recovery Committee and helped ensure families had money in their pockets to rebuild.”
Of her agenda if elected she says, “In Congress, the first thing I’ll do is fight for continued, comprehensive COVID-19 Relief for working families and small businesses. I’ll push for additional stimulus checks, work to expand the unemployment insurance system to cover more workers, and fight to freeze rent increases, evictions, utility shutoffs, and late fees for rent to ensure no family loses their home during this pandemic and fight to fix an unjust Criminal Justice System that targets Black and Brown communities.”
Carter-Peterson is being endorsed by Georgia Democrat Stacy Abrams, who heads Fair Fight Action, an organization that addresses voter suppression.
“If elected as the first Black woman to represent this district in Congress, I’ll continue to speak truth to power and shake things up to get things done for people.”
In Baton Rouge, the District has seen the emergence of community organizer and activist Gary Chambers, whose video confrontation with East Baton Rouge School Board Member Connie Bernard over renaming a school that carries the name of Confederate Robert E. Lee went viral.
He played this clip during his campaign launch video, as he is positioning himself as a different kind of candidate that is not of the status quo.
Gary Chambers believes that this message will resonate with voters. In a recent article he stated, “We can’t be satisfied with being dead last and we can’t elect career politicians if we want change to
happen,” Chambers said. “If you vote the way you’ve always voted, you get what you got, and we’ll end up where we’ve always been at the bottom of the map.”
Chambers is a political outsider, whose campaign is an uphill climb because of access to funds and only 11 percent of voters reside in East Baton Rouge Parish. So, while his campaign is one that is inspirational to most political experts, it seems that it may be a two-person race. But ultimately, it is for the voters to decide.
Whoever is elected will complete the rest of Richmond’s unexpired term.
The election takes place Saturday, March 20th. Voters can cast their ballots early, daily from Saturday, March 6th through Saturday, March 13th, with the exception of Sundays and holidays and the election is on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
“Experience and accomplishments matter, and in this race I have the strongest collection of both,” says Carter who presently serves in the Louisiana State Senate and is being endorsed by Cedric Richmond. Carter is also receiving endorsements from a cross section of supporters across the District and those in leadership in D.C. Saying if elected he will have the ear of leadership in the House from day one. And he also states, “having the endorsement of Cedric Richmond, Senior Advisor and Director of the Office of Public Engagement demonstrates my ability to put the district’s priorities in front of the President.”
“Right now, the 2nd Congressional District is being tested like never before, and we need a tested leader who will fight for the just recovery our people need. I’m proud to have a proven track record of standing up and getting things done for working families and small businesses when they needed it most,” says Carter-Peterson.
Baton Rouge Activist Gary Chambers is positioning himself as a different kind of candidate that is not of the status quo.
The election takes place Saturday, March 20th. Voters can cast their ballots early daily from Saturday, March 6th through Saturday, March 13th, with the exception of Sundays and holidays and the election is on Saturday, March, 20, 2021.
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