Jeremy Alford: La. lawmakers remain focused on leadership posts

The internal legislative elections for president of the Louisiana Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives are developing rapidly as politicos wrap up the 2023 election cycle. 

The few remaining runoffs will be decided on Election Day, on Nov. 18, and all lawmakers will be seated in an organizational session in Baton Rouge on Jan. 8. Representative and senators will also elect their own leaders during that organizational session.

Senate President Page Cortez of Lafayette did what he could to position Senate Commerce Chair Mike Reese of Leesville for the upper chamber’s big gavel. But Reese stepped back from his bid last week to endorse Senate Commerce Vice Chair Cameron Henry of Jefferson.
It didn’t hurt that Henry had the support of Gov.-elect Jeff Landry, which was something Reese and Henry discussed last week during a private dinner at Crescent City Steakhouse.

The dinner was actually arranged by Senate Transportation Chair Patrick McMath of Covington, another Cortez protege and a close friend of Reese.

“It was important for me and important for Mike to put this whole thing to bed as quickly as possible,” said McMath. “We all wanted to resolve a looming question that could have gone on for a few more months.”

During the dinner at Crescent City Steakhouse, Henry reminded Reese senators would get a well-deserved break from the leadership battle and would be able to work and spend time with their families. 

“We’re giving our members the gift of time,” Henry told Reese at the dinner.

In a follow-up interview, Reese said he’s looking forward to charging ahead. Regarding his own interests in the next term, Reese said he’s hoping to stay engaged with the tax-writing Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee.

Asked what rank-and-file members are expecting in terms of committee assignments, McMath said, “(The incoming leadership) has plenty of time to work on putting members in the best positions to move Louisiana forward. So I would assume no one will know their full committee assignments until Jan. 8.”

While the 39-member Senate suddenly seems to have its chamber in order, those in the 105-member House are still scrambling to select an early speaker nominee.

House Republicans will meet during the first week of December to both vote on a speaker nominee and select a new delegation chairman, a position House Transportation Chair Mark Wright of Covington is in line for at this hour.

As for who will become the speaker nominee in the Republican-majority House, that’s a much more complicated question. For starters, there’s no recent precedent for a delegation nomination vote. But we do know the race is on.

Reaching for his own Young Turk moment, soon-to-be second term Rep. Daryl Deshotel of Marksville is making a strong push. From working fundraisers to hosting groups at his Spanish Town home, Deshotel is using his personal wealth and campaign account to help colleagues.

Should Deshotel find success, he’ll instantly bring to mind the group of freshmen and second termers from the early 1970s who were known as the Young Turks. In addition to reforming the chamber, they also put many of their own into leadership roles traditionally reserved for more senior members.

Also seen as a leading contender is soon-to-be third term Rep. Phillip DeVillier of Eunice, who has his own ties to pro-Landry donors. When asked (jokingly) if there’s an order yet for oversized gavels at Fruge Lumber in Eunice, DeVillier said with a laugh, “Actually, (Sen.) Jeremy Stine bought them out. Now it’s Stine Lumber.” 

The field, understandably, is packed and also includes other personalities like Reps. Brett Geymann of Lake Charles, Jack McFarland of Jonesboro, Neil Riser of Columbia and Zee Zeringue of Houma. 

“My base is significant and I’m pleased at where I am,” Geymann said via text.

Another 18 House races still need to be decided on the Nov. 18 ballot. Some first-time candidates say they’re coordinating with Wright, currently the vice chair of the House GOP delegation, to meet the speaker contenders in informal settings following the runoffs.

The big question, of course — maybe the only question — is hich candidate Gov.-elect Landry will line up behind. For now, publicly at least, Landry is staying quiet on the House race.

Yet he is telling supporters he likes both Deshotel and DeVillier. 

Landry also asked some House members to consider the idea of the nomination vote, a concept first floated by Central Louisiana Delegation Caucus Chair Mike Johnson.

For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @ LaPoliticsNow.