WDSU NEWS HOT SEAT. I’M TRAVERS MACKEL. TONIGHT WE ARE STARTING WHAT WILL BE MORE THAN A DOZEN DEBATES ON ALL THE BIG RACES ACROSS SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AS WE ARE NOW IN FULL SWING WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTION SEASON. AND TONIGHT, WE’RE STARTING WITH A UNIQUE BUT IMPORTANT DISTRICT AT A NEWLY CREATED STATE REP SEAT FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. THE REASON FOR THIS SEAT, NEW ORLEANS, GREW FASTER THAN THE REST OF THE STATE. SO THIS NEW DISTRICT WILL REPRESENT MID-CITY, HOLLYGROVE AND PARTS OF GENTILLY FOUR CANDIDATES QUALIFIED TO RUN ALL DEMOCRATS ALL HERE TONIGHT WITH US. THEY ARE BRIAN JEFFERSON, SEAN MANA, PEARL RICKS AND TAMMY SAVOIE. WE THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT DISTRICT. WE’RE GOING TO START OFF WITH 60S FOR OPENING STATEMENTS. MR. JEFFERSON WE START WITH YOU. GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR AFFORDING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE MYSELF TO THE CITIZENS OF DISTRICT 23. I’M BRIAN JEFFERSON AND THE SOLE REASON I’M RUNNING FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF DISTRICT 23 AGAINST THE DEEP POCKET SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS THAT HAVE LONG RULED BATON ROUGE. YOU NEED RELIEF. RELIEF FROM SKYROCKETED INSURANCE RATES THAT MAKE IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO OWN AN AUTOMOBILE OR A HOME RELIEF FROM DRAINAGE THAT FLOODS YOUR STREETS EVERY TIME IT RAINS. RELIEF FROM SCHOOLS THAT FAILED YOUR CHILDREN. RELIEF FROM CRIME IN THE STREETS. THERE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA NECESSITATE SERIOUS LEADERSHIP AND NOT POLITICAL SHOWMANSHIP. I’M BRIAN JEFFERSON AND I’M READY FOR THE JOB. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. JEFFERSON. MR. MEHTA, YOU HAVE 60S. HOW ARE YOU DOING? RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 23, YOU KNOW ME. I DON’T NEED NO INTRODUCTION IN THIS. IT’S YOUR NEIGHBOR, SEAN MENA. I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 23, HAVING LIVED WITHIN THE DISTRICT AS IT IS DRAWN. MY ENTIRE LIFE. ALSO MY PUBLIC SCHOOLING CAME ALL WITHIN THE DISTRICT FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO GRADUATING FROM WARREN EASTON. THEN I MADE IT OUT TO LSU AND THEN SOUTHERN LAW WITHIN THAT TIME, I WAS ALSO ABLE TO HAVE VALUABLE WORK EXPERIENCE THAT I BELIEVE WILL HELP ME TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE ADVOCATOR FOR DISTRICT 23 ON DAY ONE, HAVING WORKED FOR GOVERNOR BLANCO AND IN STATE AGENCIES DEDICATED TOWARDS HIGHER EDUCATION AND ALSO HOUSING, LONG AFTER THAT, I WAS ABLE TO WORK FOR US SENATOR MARY LANDRIEU DURING THE BP OIL SPILL RELIEF. AND THEN I TOOK THAT EXPERIENCE TO WORK FOR A LAW FIRM THAT WAS DEDICATED TO HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES RECOVER FROM THAT OIL SPILL AS WELL. I’M SEAN MENA AND I’M HERE TO OFFER SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR DISTRICT 23. PEARL REX, YOU’RE UP. YOU HAVE 60S. HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS PEARL RICKS. SOME OF YOU KNOW ME FROM MY COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE WORK IN THE COMMUNITIES OF NEW ORLEANS AND ACROSS LOUISIANA. FROM DIAPERS TO PAMPERS TO FOOD, EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION AND CONDOMS. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING OUT FOR NEW ORLEANS COMMUNITIES FOR OVER A DECADE. I’M EXCITED TO STAND BEFORE YOU AND TO OFFER MY SERVICE AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 23. I HAVE A COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES FOR A HEALTHIER LOUISIANA. I LOOK TO ENHANCE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND RESOURCES AND SECURING THE DIGNITY, PRIVACY AND SAFETY OF LOUISIANA. LOUISIANA DESERVES TO THRIVE WITH AMPLE WITH AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROSPEROUS AND THRIVING EXISTENCE. ALL RESIDENTS OF LOUISIANA, REGARDLESS OF RACE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER, RELIGION AND THE OTHER INTERSECTIONS THAT MAKE US WHO WE ARE. DISTRICT 23 DESERVES A LEGISLATOR THAT IS REFLECTIVE OF ITS DIVERSITY. I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT FOR YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO REPRESENTING YOU, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. MISS SAVOIE, YOU GET TO WRAP US UP WITH OPENING STATEMENTS. YOU HAVE 60S AS WELL. OKAY. GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU. WDSU MY NAME IS TAMMY SAVOY, AND I’M ROBERT. I’M RUNNING TO REPRESENT THE GOOD PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 23. THE HEART OF NEW ORLEANS. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN NEW ORLEANS. I LOVE OUR CITY. I LOVE OUR DISTRICT. I’M A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND RETIRED AIR FORCE LIEUTENANT COLONEL. I AM UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO REPRESENT OUR DISTRICT AS AN AIR FORCE OFFICER AT THE PENTAGON. WRITING IMPLEMENTS AND THEN ANALYZING EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE POLICY. I HAVE ADDRESSED ISSUES ON A COMPLICATED AND GRAND SCALE RETURNING HOME FROM ACTIVE DUTY. IT WASN’T DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR COMMUNITY AFTER HAVING CANVASED AND CONTACTED OVER 4000 CITIZENS IN ALL NEIGHBORHOODS IN OUR DISTRICT, I HAVE A KEEN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT THINK ARE THE MAJOR ISSUES, AND I AM COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES HEAD ON ON DAY ONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, MR. MAYOR. LET’S TALK WITH YOU ON THIS QUESTION. 60S CRIME IS PLAGUING THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, INCLUDING A LOT OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICT 23. WHAT BILLS WOULD YOU, AUTHOR OR BACK TO ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME IN DISTRICT 23 YOU HAVE 60S. I WOULD DEFINITELY AUTHOR A BILL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CRIMINALS IN OUR SOCIETY DO NOT GET OUT OF JAIL QUICKLY. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NO REVOLVING DOOR OVER THERE DOWN AT THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT. SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CRIMINALS THAT COMMIT THESE CRIMES, MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE JUSTICE, PUT UPON THEM, BECAUSE OUR CITIZENS DESERVE BETTER. AND WE DON’T NEED TO LIVE IN A SOCIETY WHERE THE CRIMINALS RUN FREE. SO WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CRIMINALS ACTUALLY ARE ADJUDICATED FAIRLY. BUT ADJUDICATED IN CRIMINAL COURT. ALL RIGHT. SAME QUESTION, MISS ROOKS. WHAT WHAT BILLS WOULD YOU BACK OR EVEN AUTHOR TO ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME IN DISTRICT 23? YOU HAVE 60S. SO FIRST, I’D LIKE TO STATE THAT VIOLENT CRIME. AND WHEN IT COMES TO CRIMINALS, THESE ARE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THESE ARE OUR NEIGHBORS, THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN, OUR COUSINS AND OUR FRIENDS. AND MOST OF CRIME IS BECAUSE OF A NEED, WHETHER IT BE FOOD, A WAY TO PAY YOUR RENT, A WAY TO FIND HOUSING OR ANYTHING ELSE. I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS POVERTY AS A MEANS OF SOLVING THE ISSUE AROUND CRIME, BUT ALSO AROUND CRIMINALIZATION. AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP THAT MANY OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE SEE KREWE DATING NOT EVEN CREATING BUT INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT CRIMES AND DIFFERENT VIOLENT CRIMES. IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT. THERE IS A SOCIETY THAT NEEDS TO BE STEPPING UP. 1 IN 5 YOUNG PEOPLE SUFFER WITH DEPRESSION IN LOUISIANA 2 IN 5 SUFFER WITH SYMPTOMS OF PTSD. 1 IN 5 HAVE WITNESSED A MURDER AND 1 IN 3 WITNESSED DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE. SO WHEN IT LOOKS WHEN WE LOOK AT CRIMINALIZATION AND CRIME AND REDUCING IT, WE MUST FIRST ADDRESS POVERTY AND ALSO ENSURE THAT WE’RE ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT THESE PEOPLE, THESE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY NEED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SAME QUESTION, MISS SAVOIE. YOU HAVE 60S. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I AGREE WITH BOTH OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE CRIME FROM A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. BASICALLY HOLDING CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE, BUT ALSO GEAUX UNDERLYING CRIME. THAT’S THE LOW HANGING FRUIT IS ADDRESSING THE CRIMINALS. BUT UNDERLYING CRIME IS THE POVERTY THAT WE HAVE. AND THE LOW WAGES AND THE UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS THAT THAT WE HAVE AT THIS POINT IN TIME. BUT WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS ALSO REVITALIZE OUR ECONOMY TO CREATE JOBS WHERE THE PAY IS HIGHER AND THE SKILLS ARE MORE DEMANDING. SO WE’RE RELYING RIGHT NOW ON A SERVICE INDUSTRY THAT’S LOW PAYING THAT THAT YOU CAN’T EARN A LIVING FOR. AND WHICH CREATES CRIME, WHICH CREATES TRAUMA, WHICH CREATES MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. SO THERE ARE TWO ISSUES RIGHT NOW. TWO EXAMPLES THAT I WANT TO GIVE THAT I WOULD SUPPORT, AND THAT IS THE BIO DISTRICT IN MID-CITY THAT WILL CREATE JOBS, THAT WILL CREATE A GLOBAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN THE HEALTH CARE SPECIALTIES, A HUB FOR THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY. AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ALSO HAVE THIS GRAND FILM INDUSTRY IN IN NEW ORLEANS THAT WE NEED TO CREATE JOBS FOR AND EXPAND TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE A JOB FOR AFFORDABLE AFFORDAB LIVING IN OUR CITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. JEFFERSON YOU HAVE 60S SAME QUESTION, TRAVIS. THERE HAS BEEN CRIME IN OUR BELOVED CITY SINCE THERE WERE PIRATES IN THE FRENCH QUARTER TO TODAY, RANGING FROM PICKPOCKETING TO MURDER AND EVERY OFFENSE IN BETWEEN AS WE STAND HERE TODAY, OUR POLICE FORCE, THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS IS AT A HISTORIC LOW. IT’S MY UNDERSTANDING, SINCE THE 1940S, I THINK IT’S BELOW 900 OFFICERS. HOWEVER, THINGS ARE LOOKING BRIGHT AT AND WE HAVE UPCOMING CADETS THAT ARE GRADUATING TO TO BOLSTER THOSE NUMBERS. I WOULD FOSTER AND SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO ATTRACT BETTER CANDIDATES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THROUGH BETTER PAY TO GET BETTER OFFICERS INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND BETTER TRAINING ALSO TO TO INTERACT WITH OUR CITIZENS. OFTENTIME, THOSE PEOPLE DON’T COMMIT CRIMES AS A HOBBY. SOMETIMES CRIMES ARE COMMITTED OUT OF NECESSITY, AND WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT. AND WE NEED A MORE LENIENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. ALTHOUGH THE SYSTEM AS IT IS NOW IS SUFFICIENT IT AND IT IS TURNING THE CORNER AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS MADE CERTAIN STEPS TO TO UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY OFFENSE ISN’T EQUATED WITH SEVERE PUNISHMENT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, PEARL REX, 30S. WE’RE GOING TO START SHORTENING THE TIME HERE. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN DISTRICT 23 IF YOU’RE ELECTED? SO WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS, IT’S I I’D LIKE TO UNDERLINE THAT THERE ARE MANY ISSUES BEFORE WE GET TO HOUSING. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS HAVE ACCESS TO HARM REDUCTION TOOLS SINCE WE KNOW THAT THE POPULATION UNDER THE INTERSECTION, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, HAS SUBSTANCE USE, THEY ENJOY, THEY WANT TO HAVE FOOD, THEY WANT TO HAVE ACCESS TO WAYS TO CHARGE THEIR PHONES SO THAT THEY CAN COMMUNICATE LATE. WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING HIGH POVERTY OR PARDON ME, WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING HIGH HOUSELESSNESS, WE WANT TO TO FIND LEGISLATION THAT CREATES FEWER BARRIERS FOR HOUSING. WHEN WE LOOK AT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION WITHIN LOUISIANA, WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE EXPUNGE ALL OF THAT AND WE GIVE EVERYONE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO FIND HOUSING. THANK YOU, 30S AS WELL. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN IF ELECTED, MISS SAVOIE, FOR HOMELESSNESS IN DISTRICT 23? WE HAVE TO REDUCE POVERTY, BASICALLY AND MOSTLY WE HAVE THE HIGHEST CHILD POVERTY RATE IN THE IN THE IN THE COUNTRY. AND SO WE REALLY HAVE TO TACKLE THAT POVERTY RATE AND MAKE SURE THAT BASICALLY PEOPLE HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND I’D RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE IS ONE THING THAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT OFF THE BAT, AN EASY THING IF THE LEGISLATURE WOULD DO THAT, WE WOULD LIFT MANY PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE HOMES TO GO TO. SO THAT’S THAT’S THE EASIEST THING RIGHT OFF THE BAT THAT WE COULD DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, 30S AS WELL, MR. JEFFERSON, WHAT WOULD YOUR PLAN BE IF ELECTED TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN DISTRICT 23? I’VE HEARD SOME GOOD RESPONSES HERE, BUT THERE ARE OTHER BUSTLING METROPOLISES IN THIS COUNTRY THAT HAVE ADDRESSED THAT. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK CITY, WHERE I LIVE FOR A WHILE, THEY HAVE IMPLEMENTED STUDIES AND DIFFERENT PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS THEIR OUR HOMELESS POPULATION. KHERSON AND I WOULD ADOPT THE SUCCESSES THAT THEY EXPERIENCED AND IMPLEMENT THEM HERE. ALL RIGHT, MR. 30S, WHAT WOULD YOUR PLAN BE IF ELECTED FOR HOMELESSNESS IN THE DISTRICT? I THINK I WOULD WANT TO PLAN LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO BRING FUNDING TO GREAT ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE OZANAM INN. THAT’S LOCATED WITHIN DISTRICT 23. ME AND MY WIFE ACTUALLY VOLUNTEERED OVER THERE WITH THE HOMELESS PEOPLE IN ORDER TO HELP THEM GET THEIR LIVES BACK ON TRACK. WE NEED TO BRING ABOUT MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SO THAT OUR HOMELESS CAN ACTUALLY GET JOBS IN ORDER TO BETTER THEIR LIVES AND BETTER OUR SOCIETY. ALL RIGHT. MISS SAVOIE, YES OR NO? THIS IS GOING TO BE A QUICK ONE FOR YOU. YES OR NO? DO YOU SUPPORT THE LEGISLATIVE OVERRIDE OF GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS VETO ON TRANSGENDER HEALTH CARE? YES OR NO? YES. I MEAN, OKAY. HE. YES. DO YOU SUPPORT THE LEGISLATURE OVERRIDING HIS VETO? YES OR NO? OH, NO, I DON’T. OKAY. MR. JEFFERSON, DO YOU SUPPORT THE LEGISLATURE OVERRIDING THE GOVERNOR’S VETO? ABSOLUTELY NOT, MR. MEDINA. NO, NOT AT ALL. I DO NOT SUPPORT THE LEGISLATURE OVERRIDING THE GOVERNOR’S VETO. ALL RIGHT. WE’RE GOING TO START THIS YES OR NO WITH YOU, MR. JEFFERSON. IF SHAWN WILSON, WHO IS THE STATE BACKED DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATE, YES OR NO? DO YOU SUPPORT SHAWN WILSON FOR GOVERNOR AS A DEMOCRAT? ABSOLUTELY. 110%. MR. OF COURSE I DO. I’M VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT SHAWN WILSON. ALL RIGHT. WE’RE GOING TO START THIS QUESTION WITH YOU. IT’S A 32ND ONE ASIDE, MR. MEDINA. I DON’T WANT TO GO OUT OF ORDER HERE AND 30S, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR THE INSURANCE CRISIS IF YOU’RE ELECTED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN 30S? MY PLAN IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO ATTRACT ADDITIONAL INSURANCE COMPANIES IN ORDER TO KEEP WRITING POLICIES SO THAT THAT CAN ACTUALLY WAIT DOWN THE COST OF THE POLICIES THAT HOMEOWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING IN DISTRICT 23. SO WE NEED TO INCREASE THE FUNDING AND ALSO WORK WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION DELEGATION SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A FEDERAL SOLUTION FOR THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR ALL ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS. REX 30S WHAT IS YOUR PLAN IF ELECTED TO GET INSURANCE COMPANIES TO WRITE MORE POLICIES AND GET US OUT OF THIS CRISIS? SO OF COURSE IT’S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO NOT HAVE A MONOPOLY WHEN IT COMES TO INSURANCE COMPANIES AND LOUISIANA. AND I THINK THAT IT’S NECESSARY AND MANDATED. REALLY, WE NEED TO MANDATE IT, THAT WE HAVE MORE OPTIONS AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE NEED TO BE HOLDING THE CORPORATIONS AND THE INDUSTRIES THAT ARE HAVING ENVIRONMENT CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON OUR SHORES AND ON OUR CITIES TO STEP UP AND TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO FOLKS EVER INCREASING, EVER RISING INSURANCE RATES. YES. MS. ZAVALA 30S WHAT WOULD YOUR PLAN? WE NEED A VERY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THIS. WE NEED TO ATTRACT MORE INSURANCE COMPANIES. OF COURSE. WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THAT. WE ALSO NEED TO DO MANY, MANY MITIGATING MITIGATING ACTIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN WITHSTAND STORMS SO THAT WE DON’T HAVE AS MUCH DAMAGE MAKING FEWER CLAIMS, WHICH WOULD BRING MORE INSURANCE, INSURANCE COMPANIES IN AND LOWER THE COSTS. WE HAVE THE FORTIFIED ROOF PROGRAM THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS PUT FORWARD AND IT’S A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT’S JUST NOT ENOUGH TO BRING THOSE INSURANCE RATES DOWN. WE NEED TO EXPAND THAT SIGNIFY RECENTLY AND ALSO DO THINGS TO MITIGATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON OUR CITY. ALL RIGHT, MR. JEFFERSON, SAME THING. 30S WHAT’S YOUR PLAN FOR THE INSURANCE CRISIS IF ELECTED? I AGREE WITH THAT. BUT I THINK WHAT’S BEING OVERLOOKED IS ANOTHER TYPE OF INSURANCE, AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE. AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANIES USE A PERSON’S CREDIT SCORE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH THEY CHARGE A PERSON FOR INSURANCE. LOUISIANA IS SECOND TO LAST IN CREDIT SCORES IN THIS NATION. YOU CAN BE FACING A SCENARIO WHERE A PERSON WITH A DWI AND AN EXCELLENT CREDIT SCORE PAYS LESS IN INSURANCE THAN AN INDIVIDUAL WITH AN EXCELLENT DRIVING RECORD. AND A POOR CREDIT SCORE THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE. ALL RIGHT. BEFORE WE GET TO CLOSING STATEMENTS IN A WORD OR A PHRASE, REALLY QUICKLY, PEARL RICKS, IN ABOUT 10S BIGGEST ISSUE FACING DISTRICT 23, IN YOUR OPINION. EQUAL ACCESS TO A HEALTHY LIFE. THE SAVOIE, IN A WORD OR PHRASE, BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE DISTRICT. THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ALONG WITH THE POVERTY THAT THAT THAT CAUSES THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS. MR. JEFFERSON DRAINAGE URGE MR. EQUAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL. ALL RIGHT. WE’RE GOING TO GIVE WE’RE ALMOST AT A TIME WE’RE GOING TO MAKE A QUICK CLOSING STATEMENT. YOU HAVE 30S SINCE WE STARTED WITH YOU, MR. JEFFERSON. IT’S LIKE A FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT. WE’RE GOING TO START AT THIS END OF THE LINE RIGHT HERE. SO, MISS SAVOIE, YOU CAN LEAD US OFF WITH A CLOSING STATEMENT AND LET PEOPLE KNOW WHY YOU FEEL YOU’RE THE BEST CANDIDATE. YOU HAVE. 30S WELL, I’M GOING TO SAY THIS. THANKS AGAIN, EVERYBODY. IT’S BEEN MY HONOR TO BE HERE. I’VE SPENT MANY YEARS SERVING OUR COUNTRY, AND I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR DISTRICT, OUR CITY, AND OUR STATE. AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, I WILL WORK DILIGENTLY TO GET TO KNOW YOU, TO EARN YOUR TRUST AND YOUR RESPECT AND A HOPE THAT I CAN EARN YOUR VOTE ON OCTOBER 14TH. PLEASE GO TO MY WEBSITE. TAMMY SAVOY.COM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ME AND I’LL BE BACK AGAIN IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD VERY SOON AND I WILL SEE YOU THEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT, PEARL RICKS, YOU HAVE 30S TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHY YOU FEEL YOU’RE THE BEST CANDIDATE. I’D ALSO LIKE TO GIVE A HEARTFELT THANK YOU AND A HELLO TO ALL NEIGHBORS, BUSINESS OWNERS, STAFF PERSONS, STUDENTS, EVERYONE WITHIN DISTRICT 23. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO COLLABORATE WITH YOU TO IDENTIFY THE NEEDS OUR COMMUNITY HAS AND TO CONTINUE TAKING THEM UP TO BATON ROUGE EVERY YEAR BEFORE I DECIDED TO RUN FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, I HAVE BEEN DOING ADVOCACY, LEGISLATIVE WORK OR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY WORK AT THE CAPITOL FOR LEGISLATIVE SESSION. I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE WING THAT FIGHT FOR YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH YOU, ADDING TO THE VOICES OF REASON THAT ARE ALREADY AT THE CAPITOL AND BEING DISRUPTIVE TO THE THINGS THAT HARM OUR COMMUNITY. ALL RIGHT, SEAN MINA, YOU HAVE 30S TO MAKE A CLOSING STATEMENT AND LET VOTERS KNOW WHY YOU FEEL YOU’RE THE BEST. THANK YOU, TRAVIS. I BELIEVE THAT MY EXPERIENCE GROWING UP AS A SON OF IMMIGRANTS IN NEW ORLEANS, WHILE WE WERE THE MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, TIED WITH MY LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE, GIVES ME THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AND PERSPECTIVE TO ACTUALLY PASS LEGISLATION, ONE THAT WOULD LEAD TO GREATER PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN OUR DISTRICT. ALSO, I BELIEVE THAT LOCAL ACCOUNTABLE CITY AND LOCAL LEADERSHIP MATTERS. AND AS THE ONLY PERSON WHO LIVES WITHIN DISTRICT 23 AS IT IS DRAWN, I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME. YOUR NEIGHBOR, SEAN MINA. AND LET ME JUST BRING THAT UP REALLY QUICKLY. THERE IS A LAW THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE, IF THEY DON’T LIVE IN THE DISTRICT, TO MOVE THERE WITHIN A YEAR IF YOU ARE ELECTED. SO MR. YES. DISTRICT. SO. MR. MINA THANK YOU FOR, FOR BRINGING THAT UP AS WELL. MR. JEFFERSON YOU HAVE 30S TO WRAP US UP HERE WITH CLOSING STATEMENTS. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THIS CITY, HONED IN DISTRICT 23, I ATTENDED EPIPHANY GRAMMAR SCHOOL, SAINT AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL, LSU AND LOYOLA SCHOOL OF LAW. MY DADDY WAS A UNION MAN, A STEVEDORE LONGSHOREMAN ON THE RIVER. MY MAMA A NURSE. I HAD THREE SISTERS. I’M AN ONLY BOY. I’M AN ATTORNEY HERE IN THIS CITY. I’M NOT A POLITICIAN AND I’M NOT GOING TO BATON ROUGE TO TO PLAY POLITICAL GAMES. BUT I CANNOT DO THIS ALONE. I NEED YOU AND I HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND YOUR VOTE. AND I ASK THAT YOU BE WITH ME. GOOD. GOOD EVENING. ALL RIGHT. ALL FOR GOOD CANDIDATES. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. IT WAS A GOOD DEBATE, A REALLY INTERESTING ONE FOR A NEWLY CREATED STATE REP SEAT THAT UNFORTUNATELY, IS ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE FOR THE HOT SEAT. BRIAN JEFFERSON. SEAN MANA. PEARL RIGGS, TAMI SAVOIE, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. GOOD LUCK DURING THE CAMPAIGN SEASON AND ON EL