The Republican Party of Louisiana, today, announced its official endorsement of John Schroder for Louisiana State Treasurer.

“John Schroder is running a fantastic campaign highlighting his conservative fiscal principles,” Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger Villere said. “The Republican Party of Louisiana and I encourage all conservatives in Louisiana to unite and vote for John Schroder in November.”

John Schroder has exhibited a dedication to public service throughout his life, serving as a special agent in the United States Army, and as a Louisiana narcotics agent. Representing his St. Tammany Parish based district in the State House of Representatives since 2007, John Schroder has been a fighter for our conservative values. Louisiana voters have recognized this selfless dedication and have selected John Schroder to be the Republican candidate in the runoff for State Treasurer.

A vocal opponent to increasing taxes on Louisiana taxpayers, John Schroder has led the charge against Governor John Bel Edwards’ liberal tax and spend policies. John Schroder has been one of several leaders to push for an overhaul of the entire tax system for Louisiana and a more streamlined budgeting process.

“Louisiana is at a crossroads when it comes to its spending habits,” said Villere. “We need someone that we can trust to oversee taxpayer money and shout from the rooftops when it’s being doled out in an irresponsible manner. John Schroder is the fiscal watchdog that we need overseeing Louisiana’s Treasury Department.”

“John Schroder’s record and actions are a clear indication of how well he will serve the people of Louisiana as State Treasurer,” said Chairman Villere. “Republicans in Louisiana recognize the importance of the office of State Treasurer; and we know John Schroder will lead the office with honesty, integrity, and conservative principles.” 

“With voter turnout, this past weekend, at less than 14%, and with the New Orleans mayoral runoff on the same November ballot, it is imperative that Republicans show up to vote on November 18th,” said Chairman Villere. “We are less than 3 weeks away from the start of the early voting period, and this election is too important for Republicans to stay home and take for granted. Republicans must encourage their friends and family members to get out and vote.”

Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger Villere issued the following statement congratulating Dr. Craig Greene on winning the election for Public Service Commissioner:

“As a first time candidate, Dr. Craig Greene ran a tremendous race, winning outright, defeating two former state representatives. Dr. Greene has led a life of service and the voters of Louisiana responded to his genuine desire to serve.

Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger Villere issued the following statement congratulating former State Representative John Schroder on making the run-off in the election for State Treasurer:

"I want to express my appreciation to the people of Louisiana for the tremendous outpouring of support and prayer for Congressman Steve Scalise and his family this morning.

Steve is a champion for freedom, one of the great leaders to come from among our ranks. We have every expectation that Steve will make a full recovery.

Meanwhile, please continue to pray for Steve, his wife, Jennifer, and their children. Additionally, please pray for the other victims and their families.

Baton Rouge- Republican lawmakers in the House Appropriations Committee successfully amended and passed HB 1, the state's spending plan, on a 17-5 party-line vote. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry (R- Metairie) provided a package of amendments that transformed the bill to a "standstill" budget, freezing state spending for next year at the current year's level, with the exception of some constitutionally mandated increases.

This budget accounts for spending 97.5% of estimated revenues, and is intended to avoid another mid-year deficit. In committee this morning, Representative Blake Miguez (R- Erath) pointed out that budgeting in this conservative manner actually helps to protect healthcare and higher education funding, helping to avoid a special session to address a mid-year deficit, where these two entities would be put on the chopping block.

Representative Franklin Foil (R- Baton Rouge) provided an amendment to HB 1 that fully funded TOPS. Governor Edwards' initial budget failed to fully fund TOPS to the tune of 82 million dollars. This amendment passed 19-5, with the nays coming exclusively from the Democratic members of the committee.

LAGOP Congratulates Mayor-elect Nic Hunter

LAGOP Congratulates State Representative-elect Raymond Crews

The Republican Party of Louisiana released the following statement from Chairman Roger Villere upon the failure of Governor Edwards' keystone tax bill: 

"Today is a great day for the taxpayers of Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards' disastrous Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) has failed to pass out of committee. After two days of testimony on the tax, the governor failed to gain any sense of support and opted to pull the bill. I commend the Republican members of the House Ways and Means Committee for standing up against the governor and his tax and spend agenda. Governor Edwards ran on not raising taxes. I'm glad Republicans are helping him keep his word."

The Republican Party of Louisiana released the following statement from Chairman Roger Villere regarding HB 6 by Representative Paul Hollis (R- Covington): 

"As the Trump Administration continues to fight for the repeal of Obamacare in Washington, Republicans in Louisiana are joining in on the fight with House Bill 6 by Representative Paul Hollis (R- Covington). In concert with President Trump's Executive Order pertaining to Obamacare, HB 6 would exempt Louisiana residents from the penalties imposed by Obamacare for failing to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage. In addition, HB 6 requires the heads of executive branch departments and agencies to request waivers from the penalty provision of Obamacare. HB 6 is scheduled to be heard before the House Insurance Committee this Wednesday, April 26th. I encourage all Republican lawmakers and activists to support this measure by Representative Hollis."

Baton Rouge – This morning Exxon Mobil announced a multibillion dollar investment in San Patricio County, Texas. The petrochemical plant will be the site of the world's largest ethylene cracker plant, and will provide the building blocks for polyester, anti-freeze, plastic bottles, and food packaging to emerging global markets. The San Patricio County site was selected over two potential sites in the state of Louisiana. This is yet another major win for Texas and a loss for Louisiana. 

Once completed, the new investment will produce 600 new full time jobs, 3500 indirect jobs, as well as countless jobs during the construction of the plant. It is expected to generate more than $22 billion in economic output during construction and more than $50 billion in its first 6 years of operation.

Republican Delegation Chairman Lance Harris (R-Alexandria) said, “This is a sad day for Louisiana. What was once an attractive state for the oil and gas industry has now become a beacon of instability. The coastal lawsuits were a major warning sign that the legal environment is only getting worse. Talk of major tax changes that will cripple businesses in the state was likely the final straw.”

Republican Party of Louisiana Executive Director Jason Doré will be moving his family to the nation's capital to serve as an official in the administration of President Donald J. Trump.

Doré, who is currently the longest-serving state party executive director in the nation, will be resigning effective March 31st to accept his new position.

“We’ve experienced great success over the past six years with Jason Doré’s leadership,” LAGOP Chairman Roger Villere said. "We wish him every success in serving President Trump and our nation."

Bo Staples, the Republican Party of Louisiana Political Director, will serve as the interim Executive Director. Staples is a veteran of several state and local political campaigns and the Republican Party of Louisiana.

Doré's tenure has been marked with incredible success.  Since becoming Executive Director in 2011, the Party has broken fundraising records, raising more than $11 million for its candidates, and shattered registration records by increasing the number of registered Republicans by more than 140,000 voters.  In addition, the Party has seen a 40% increase in the number of elected officials and gained majorities in both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction.  Eight of nine statewide elected officials are currently Republicans. 

Dore's emphasis on voter outreach included more than 5,000 volunteers, 200,000 volunteer hours, 4 million phone calls, 5 million pieces of direct mail and more than 1.5 million doors knocked over six years. In addition, the state Party's social media following has increased more than 10-fold.

In the past year, the Republican Party of Louisiana has seen its presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, receive more votes than any candidate in Louisiana history and secured 5 of the 6 congressional districts for the GOP. The Party also soundly defeated the Democrat governor's hand-picked candidate for U.S. Senate when U.S. Senator John Kennedy triumphed in December 2016.

Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger F. Villere, Jr. issued the following statement on the outcome of this evening's election to fill three House seats.

"Joe Stagni has been a dependable conservative voice on the Kenner City Council, and will be a dependable voice for Republicans in House District 92 and across the state.  We look forward to working closely with Joe to tackle the problems that face our great state.

"It is a tremendous victory that a conservative Republican like John Stefanski won in House District 42, a district that Democrats have dominated for decades--one that contains the hometown of many of the leaders of the modern Louisiana Democrat Party like John Breaux, Chris John and Edwin Edwards.

"The inability of the Democrat Party to recruit a Democrat candidate to run in this district is yet another indicator of the Louisiana Democrats’ empty bench, even in areas of the state they recently dominated. As Governor Edwards looks to use the next three years of his term to raise taxes and implement policies contrary to the values of the vast majority of Louisiana voters, we are looking forward to continuing to expose their lack of a bench in 2019 when several similar legislative seats will be open due to term limits.

"John Stefanski will be a dependable vote for conservatives in the Louisiana Legislature.  We look forward to working with John to oppose the reckless tax and spend policies that are constantly put forth by the Edwards administration." - LAGOP Chairman Roger Villere

"We're thrilled that 2 Republicans have made the runoff in House District 8.  This is a district vacated by now Congressman Mike Johnson, a steadfast conservative.  We congratulate Raymond Crews and Robbie Gatti." - LAGOP Chairman Roger Villere

The Republican Party of Louisiana released the following statement from Chairman Roger Villere regarding Judge Neil Gorsuch’s hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee: 

LAGOP Vice-Chair Beryl Amedee, National Committeewoman Lenar Whitney and President of the Louisiana Federation of Republican Women, Gena Gore, issued the following statement in response to Congressman Cedric Richmond’s remarks (Click photo to view video) about Kellyanne Conway: