Occasionally we’ll have some good news to report where Louisiana politics is concerned, and this is such an occasion. Assuming Seabaugh wins, which we think he will, the Louisiana Senate will get a good bit better with him in it.

This is a Senate seat currently occupied by Louie Bernard, who was a Democrat about five minutes before he ran for it. Bernard’s voting record has been about what you’d expect. Bernard announced he won’t run for re-election, owing to the fact that Northwest Louisiana lost a Senate district, one currently occupied by Barrow Peacock, and pieces of Peacock’s district were spread around to the other districts in that part of the state.

So it includes a slice of Shreveport and a swath of the state to the south and west. It isn’t really the Natchitoches-based district it was. And though a host of Natchitoches pols are being bandied about as potential candidates against Seabaugh, it’s questionable how many of them will be able to match his name ID, cash on hand and conservative credentials in a pretty solidly red district.

Here’s his press release…

State Representative Alan Seabaugh Announces Candidacy for Louisiana Senate

Alan Seabaugh (R-Shreveport) has announced his candidacy for Louisiana State Senate District 31. Seabaugh has been a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives since 2010. Seabaugh had been considering running for the seat of term limited State Sen. Barrow Peacock (District 37) but the February, 2022 special session on redistricting saw significant changes to the northwest Louisiana Senate map. Under the new map, the District 31 seat currently held by Sen. Louis Bernard of Natchitoches will now cover all or parts of 10 northwest Louisiana parishes including the portion of Caddo Parish where Seabaugh resides.  Bernard recently announced that after 44 years of public service in elected office would not seek reelection to the Senate seat in 2023.

Seabaugh has been an outspoken conservative and legislative leader since his arrival in Baton Rouge. He is perhaps best known for his opposition to tax increases proposed by Gov. John Bel Edwards culminating in Seabaugh’s 2018 midnight filibuster which successfully killed a proposed $500 million per year tax increase on Louisiana citizens.

He currently serves on the House Criminal Justice Committee where he is a consistent champion for law and order, tougher sentences for violent criminals and the protection and safety of our communities which has earned him an A++ rating from the Louisiana Sheriffs and Deputies Political Action Committee.  “Crime, throughout Louisiana, has been out of control for far too long,” Seabaugh said. “The nature of the problem is obvious. We need leaders in Baton Rouge who can not only identify the problem, but who have the experience to marshal the necessary resources, public policy initiatives and governing coalitions to put workable solutions into place,” Seabaugh continued.

Seabaugh’s announcement included a strong endorsement from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. “Louisiana is at a crossroads and desperately needs leaders who put principles over politics, which is why I endorse Alan Seabaugh for state Senate,” said Jeff Landry. “Alan has the courage of his conservative convictions and has fought to lower taxes, reduce crime, and defend our values. We can trust Alan to be brave and bold – standing up against the Radical Left and their woke ideology.”

Seabaugh has a 100% voting record with Louisiana Right to Life and has been named “Outstanding Family Advocate” by Louisiana Family Forum nine times. He has consistently opposed the erosion of traditional American values in our public education system and was recently given the Shammah’s Courage Award by the Louisiana Baptist Convention.  He was also recently recognized as an MVP (Most Valuable Policymaker) by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry for his efforts standing up for the working families of Louisiana and opposing oppressive tax increases. Seabaugh has been named Legislator of the Year by the National Federation of Independent Business, the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association and the Childcare Association of Louisiana.

“Alan Seabaugh is a champion for the fundamental freedoms and traditional values that have always been a priority for the people of Louisiana,” said Congressman Mike Johnson. “He is battle tested and proven as one of the most intelligent and fearless conservative leaders in our state – and in these fateful times that is precisely what is needed in the Louisiana Senate.”

Seabaugh has been practicing law in northwest Louisiana since 1994. He is the founding partner of Seabaugh and Sepulvado law firm which currently has 12 attorneys with offices in Shreveport and Baton Rouge. He is a member of the Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Bar Admissions where he helps grade the Constitutional Law section of the Louisiana Bar Exam.

During his legislative career, Seabaugh has served in many leadership positions. In 2011, he was elected Vice Chairman of the Louisiana House Republican Delegation. He has also served as Vice Chairman of the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee as well as the House Insurance Committee. He is the Past Chairman of the Louisiana Conservative Caucus where he remains a board member. He is also an active member of the Louisiana Rural Caucus as well as the Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.

“I am excited about the opportunity to represent so much of Northwest Louisiana in the Senate,” Seabaugh said. “My parents and grandparents grew up in Sabine, Natchitoches, Bossier, Winn and Red River Parishes while I grew up and went to school in Caddo Parish. I have family throughout the district. I know the people. I know and understand their wants and needs as well as their passions and enthusiasms.  I know how to get things done in the Louisiana Legislature. I would be proud to put my experience, work ethic and conservative American values to work for them and to be their voice in the Louisiana Senate.”

Alan Seabaugh has been married to Laura McClelland Seabaugh for 29 years.  She is a 1991 graduate of Northwestern State University who has tremendous family ties to Natchitoches and Northwestern State.  They have four daughters and are expecting their first grandchild.

The new Senate District 31 map includes all of Sabine and Red River Parishes and portions of Caddo, Bossier, Natchitoches, Desoto, Webster, Bienville, Winn and Rapides Parishes.