And Now Julie Stokes Is In For This Fall’s State Treasurer Race

There had been some question as to whether State Rep. Julie Stokes (R-Kenner) would follow through on her rumored candidacy for the State Treasurer’s seat vacated when John Kennedy moved on to the Senate. In recent weeks there was a rumor to the effect that Stokes had cut a deal with former Jindal administration aide Angele Davis, who is reportedly considering a run, and Stokes would be running for the soon-to-be-vacated state Senate seat currently held by Danny Martiny.

Either that rumor was not true or whatever deal Stokes and Davis may have had has fallen through, because Stokes put out an email release this morning announcing she’s in for a statewide run to replace Kennedy…

Nationally recognized as a champion for fiscal and spending reform in the legislature, Julie Stokes, a Certified Public Accountant, small business owner and conservative State Representative from Jefferson Parish, enters the race for State Treasurer of Louisiana.  “As a Christian, CPA, and common sense conservative, I will be a State Treasurer who will not only point out the problems, but, I will take the lead in providing accurate objective information to the public that will lead to workable solutions.  Our state, citizens, and taxpayers deserve more than political rhetoric and theater,” Stokes said.

After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from UNO, Julie worked for one of the Big Four accounting firms and passed the CPA exam on her first try.  “I’m a nerd when it comes to studying fiscal policies and finding sound financial strategies.  It’s my vocation, my hobby and passion and it makes me uniquely qualified for the office of Treasurer,” she said.

She is the Chairman of the Sales Tax Streamlining & Modernization Commission, working tirelessly for the last year to bring repair to the state’s fractured sales tax system. Rep. Stokes is also Vice Chair of the Legislative Audit Advisory Committee and serves as one of only two interim members on the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.  She also serves on the House Executive Committee, Ways & Means, Health & Welfare, and Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay.

Nationally, Stokes serves on the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL).  She is very actively involved with the Task Force on State & Local Taxation of NCSL.  She also serves as Co-Chair of the Budgets & Revenues Standing Committee of NCSL.

She was recognized nationwide as one of a handful of State “Tax Legislators of the Year” by both State Tax Notes in 2016 and by the Tax Foundation in 2017 for her work on Sales Tax reform in Louisiana.

Rep. Stokes was also selected for the 2017 Class of Governing Magazine’s Women in Government Leadership Program.  She currently participates in the 2017 Leadership Program Class with 24 other Women in Government from across the country.

She received the Southwest Chamber Louisiana’s Fusion Five Award for best new up-and-coming legislator in 2015.  In 2016, she was named one of four “Women of Distinction” by the Girl Scouts of Louisiana East.  She has also been honored as one of New Orleans City Business Magazine’s “Women of the Year” in both 2003 and 2014.

Rep. Stokes travelled the state of Louisiana with the Committee of 100 in 2015 & 2016 as one of the lead speakers on Tax Reform in Louisiana, earning accolades from many media outlets such as the New Orleans Advocate, the Baton Rouge Business Report, and WKRF as one of the most knowledgeable Louisiana legislators in the field of Louisiana’s fiscal environment.

Julie Stokes is actively involved with the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, the University of New Orleans Alumni Association, the Louisiana Society of CPA’s, and local economic development activities, including the Kenner 2030 Economic Development Committee.

Before public life, Rep. Stokes served as a Commissioner of the Regional Transit Authority and as President of the Chateau Estates Civic Organization, the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance, and the Jefferson Chamber Young Leaders.

Rep. Stokes resides in Kenner with her husband Larry and their two children, Brandon and Taylor.

Other legislative awards include:

  •  “Champion of Economic Development” in 2013-2016 by the Louisiana Industrial Development Economic Association
  • Louisiana Family Forum’s “Liberty Award” in 2015 & 2016,
  • Louisiana Family Forum’s “Family Advocate” in 2013 – 2016,
  • “Small Business Champion” in 2013 and 2014(?) by the National Federation of Independent Business,
  • “Legislative All-Star” in 2014 by the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, and
  • “Legislator of the Year” for 2014 by the Louisiana Orthopedic Association,
  • Education Choice Champion by the Louisiana Federation for Children’s in 2013-2015

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