Party News

LOUISIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ENCOURAGES SEN. JOHN KENNEDY TO HIDE FOLLOWING XENOPHOBIC, DEGRADING COMMENTS TO ARAB-AMERICAN FEMALE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2024
CONTACT: ldpcommunications@lademo.org

LOUISIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ENCOURAGES SEN. JOHN KENNEDY TO HIDE FOLLOWING XENOPHOBIC, DEGRADING COMMENTS TO ARAB-AMERICAN FEMALE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER
Chair Gaines: “Absolutely shameful… Louisiana deserves better” 

BATON ROUGE, LA — Yesterday, Republican Sen. John Kennedy made a fool of himself in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes when he repeatedly badgered a leading Arab-American civil rights activist and told her she should “hide her head in a bag.”

The activist, Maya Berry of the Arab American Institute, repeatedly denounced any support for Hamas, Hezbollah, or any type of organization promoting violence and conflict in the Middle East, contrary to Kennedy’s claims — instead, pointing out that the fact that Kennedy’s line of questioning perfectly illustrated the need for the very hate crime hearing in which they both were present.

“Senator, oddly enough, I’m going to say thank you for that question, because it demonstrates the purpose of our hearing today in a very effective way. Hamas is a foreign terrorist organization that I do not support, but you asking the executive director of the Arab American Institute that question very much puts the focus on the issue of hate in our country. It’s regrettable that I, as I sit here, have experienced the very issue that we’re attempting to deal with today,” Berry said.

Instead of actually listening to Berry’s detailed and thoughtful responses, Kennedy baselessly pestered and chastised her for supporting violent terrorist organizations that she had repeatedly denounced, finally yelling at her, “You should hide your head in a bag.”

Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Randal Gaines issued the following statement: 

“It is absolutely shameful that a United States Senator told a civil rights leader to ‘hide her head in a bag.’ If there’s anyone that should be hiding after making these kinds of comments and behavior, it’s Sen. Kennedy.

“Unfortunately, this kind of hateful, barbaric, degrading rhetoric is nothing new from the Republican party — just look no further than their presidential candidate, who regularly spews this kind of xenophobic language every day to the detriment of our democracy. Sen. Kennedy is one of the main offenders when it comes to replicating and amplifying Trump’s bigotry.

“Louisiana deserves better than to be represented by someone who so casually exhibits narrow-minded, insensitive behavior. It’s embarrassing. Sen. Kennedy’s comments aren’t in the best interest of trying to solve the crises in the Middle East, nor are they in the best interest of Louisianans all across this state who need him to be working for them. Trust us, we’ll remember this when he’s on the ballot in 2028.” 

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LOUISIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO LAUNCH “PURGE PROTECTION PROJECT” TO HELP DISENFRANCHISED LOUISIANA VOTERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2024
CONTACT: ldpcommunications@lademo.org

LOUISIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO LAUNCH “PURGE PROTECTION PROJECT” TO HELP DISENFRANCHISED LOUISIANA VOTERS
Chair Gaines: “Louisiana isn’t as much of a red state as it is a non-voting state”

BATON ROUGE, LA — Today, on National Voter Registration Day, the Louisiana Democratic Party announced a new project with the Democratic National Committee to protect the voting rights of those Louisiana citizens who have recently been unfairly and unjustly purged from state voter rolls. 

Between now and the state voter registration deadline on October 15, the Louisiana Democratic Party will be leading a statewide effort to contact more than 13,000 inactive Democratic voters to notify them of their recent purge, encourage them to re-register, and provide important voting information for this fall’s election.

Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Randal Gaines issued the following statement: 

“We are thrilled to partner with the Democratic National Committee’s Civic Engagement and Voter Protection Department to launch this exciting project. In order for us to truly promote fair and accessible elections, we must ensure Louisiana citizens’ right to vote is not infringed by those seeking to diminish their voices. Early voting is just one month away, and so we’ll be working around the clock to help every eligible voter exercise their right this fall.

“The lies that Governor Jeff Landry, Secretary of State Nancy Landry, and Attorney General Liz Murrill tell about outside hackers, foreign actors, and ‘illegal aliens’ casting votes in Louisiana just isn’t true — it’s yet another effort to suppress the vote, spread misinformation, and keep their friends in power. The new voter registration laws these Republican extremists have recently passed will only disenfranchise more voters and could be used to levy unfounded allegations of fraud. Authorities have never found evidence of widespread voter fraud in Louisiana. 

“Landry and his cohorts got elected by suppressing the vote, and now, he’s trying to distract you from paying attention while he attacks the foundations of our democracy. They know that when we vote, we win, and that’s why they’re trying to make it harder for you to do just that. 

“But we know Louisiana isn’t as much of a red state as it is a non-voting state — and this fall, the Louisiana Democratic Party will be working tirelessly to get our people out to vote. We won’t stand by while Governor Landry and Louisiana Republicans continue to chip away at our rights to make our voices heard. 

“If you need to register, or know someone who does — go to iwillvote.com today and let’s have a strong National Voter Registration Day!”

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LOUISIANA DEMOCRATS ENERGIZED & ACTIVATED OVER VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS’ UNDENIABLE DEBATE WIN OVER DONALD TRUMP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2024
CONTACT: ldpcommunications@lademo.org

LOUISIANA DEMOCRATS ENERGIZED & ACTIVATED OVER VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS’ UNDENIABLE DEBATE WIN OVER DONALD TRUMP
Chair Gaines: “The path to a better country runs through Louisiana”

BATON ROUGE, LA — Tonight, Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris decisively won the debate against convicted felon and insurrectionist Republican nominee Donald Trump – communicating a new way forward to the American people that protects our freedoms and ensures every person has the opportunity not to just get by, but to get ahead. 

She held Donald Trump accountable for his dangerous Project 2025 agenda that would roll back Americans’ rights and freedoms, hurt the middle class, and threaten our democracy.

Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Randal Gaines issued the following statement: 

“Kamala Harris just stepped off the debate stage, where she wiped the floor with Donald Trump — and tonight, she showed Louisianans what a new way forward could look like. 

“As Vice President Harris commanded the stage on every issue that matters to the American people, Louisiana voters saw two visions for our state and country on the debate stage, and the contrast couldn’t be clearer: Trump barely articulated a coherent thought, much less a coherent vision for the American people – instead spewing lies, conspiracy theories, and talking about himself. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris spoke to us about how a Harris-Walz administration will fight for reproductive rights, lower the costs of healthcare and groceries, and make wealthy corporations and billionaires pay their fair share in taxes, all while cutting taxes for the middle class. 

“Vice President Harris decisively won tonight’s debate, and the Louisiana Democratic Party is ready to help her carry this momentum through November. We’re all in to ensure every neighborhood in Louisiana is buzzing with enthusiasm, help elect the first woman President, and deliver a blue Congress on Day One of her administration. The path to a better country runs through Louisiana.”

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HARRIS CAMPAIGN WEIGHS IN ON LOUISIANA REPUBLICANS’ CRIMINALIZATION OF LIFE-SAVING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE MEDICATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2024
CONTACT: ldpcommunications@lademo.org

HARRIS CAMPAIGN WEIGHS IN ON LOUISIANA REPUBLICANS’ CRIMINALIZATION OF LIFE-SAVING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE MEDICATION
“Louisiana is unfortunately now THE cautionary tale for the rest of the United States.”

BATON ROUGE, LA — On Tuesday, September 3, The Louisiana Illuminator published an article detailing their interviews with countless doctors across Louisiana worried about treating patients — and potentially saving lives — now that Governor Jeff Landry and House Republicans have passed a law criminalizing misoprostol, mifepristone, and other medications that treat women’s health needs. 

Misoprostol and mifepristone are prescribed for a number of medical scenarios — they are an essential part of reproductive healthcare that can be used during emergencies, as well as for miscarriage treatment, labor induction, stopping postpartum hemorrhage, and IUD insertion. But because they are also used for abortion, these drugs have been targeted by conservatives in Louisiana — an unprecedented move for a medication that routinely saves lives.

When the criminalization law, SB276 by State Senator Thomas Pressly, passed the Louisiana legislature in May, Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Randal Gaines said, “This action by extreme House Republicans is yet another example of their pursuit to take away reproductive freedoms for women in Louisiana. Thanks to Donald Trump, who proudly claims credit for ripping away women’s freedoms, women in Louisiana live in constant fear of losing even more rights. Already our state has one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country…and these actions are a harrowing preview of how much worse things could get under Governor Landry and the extreme GOP leadership. Criminalizing possession of these medications, which have a wide range of uses to protect women’s health, could further endanger the lives of Louisianians.”

And it has. As shown in the article, doctors and pharmacists are already scrambling to come up with postpartum hemorrhage policies that will comply with the law while still providing proper medical care for women, fearing that new mothers across the state will suffer.

Also yesterday, the Harris-Walz campaign weighed in on this critical issue, highlighting the “confusion and angst” over new Louisiana law, and placing the blame squarely on Donald Trump and those that push his policies, like the Project 2025 agenda. 

Harris-Walz 2024 Spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said, “Let’s be clear: Trump is the reason Louisiana women who are suffering from miscarriages or bleeding out after birth can no longer receive the critical care they would have received before Trump overturned Roe. Because of Trump, doctors are scrambling to find solutions to save their patients and are left at the whims of politicians who think they know better. Trump is proud of what he’s done. He brags about it. And if he wins, he will threaten to bring the crisis he created for Louisiana women to all 50 states.”

Shortly after, the Louisiana Democratic Party released a statement saying, “Thank you, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz, for echoing the truth. The country is now getting a glimpse of what we’ve been dealing with under the Trumpian dangerous duo of Jeff Landry and Liz Murrill. Louisiana is unfortunately now THE cautionary tale for the rest of the United States.”

The new legislation empowers the state government to monitor every pregnant woman prescribed misoprostol and mifepristone, and people possessing abortion medication could be criminalized and jailed for years — including a woman’s friends and family members. The law goes into effect on October 1.

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LOUISIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATEMENT ON KAMALA HARRIS’ VP PICK MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2024
CONTACT: ldpcommunications@lademo.org

LOUISIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATEMENT ON KAMALA HARRIS’ VP PICK MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ
Chair Gaines: We are “ready to fight strongly alongside a Harris-Walz ticket”

BATON ROUGE, LA — Following today’s news of Vice President Kamala Harris’ announcement that she has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the 2024 Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee, Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Randal Gaines today issued the following statement:
 

“Already this morning, countless Louisianans are enthusiastically sounding their excitement and support for adding Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to our 2024 Democratic ticket. 

“Like me, Tim Walz served our country for more than two decades as an Army National Guard leader, also working in disaster response postings, like I did during Hurricane Katrina. He is a former teacher, coach, and extremely accomplished congressman and governor. Our current Louisiana statewide elected officials could learn a lot from his steadfast governing, coalition building, and effective policies that greatly help working families, women, and children. 

“Some pundits claim that vice presidential picks don’t matter, but this year, it’s clear that it’s never mattered more against the threats Donald Trump and J.D. Vance pose to our democracy and our future. The Louisiana Democratic Party is ready to fight strongly alongside a Harris-Walz ticket this fall as we stand poised to make immense progress for our country and our state.”

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LOUISIANA DNC DELEGATION OVERWHELMING ENDORSES VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2024
CONTACT: ldpcommunications@lademo.org

LOUISIANA DNC DELEGATION OVERWHELMING ENDORSES VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS
Chair Gaines: “We look forward to a productive, energizing, historic convention”

BATON ROUGE, LA — This evening, the Louisiana delegation to the Democratic National Convention met virtually, and by an overwhelming majority vote, officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be our 2024 Democratic Presidential Nominee.

Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Randal Gaines, who also chairs the Louisiana delegation to the convention, shared the following:
 
“We are grateful to President Joe Biden for his remarkable leadership, and we are committed to honoring his legacy by working tirelessly this fall to keep the White House in Democratic hands. I am proud to share that Louisiana’s Democratic delegates will join President Biden in endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as our nominee. It’s time we come together, and by throwing our full support behind her, we can beat Donald Trump again and continue Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishments and progress for our country. We look forward to a productive, energizing, and historic convention in which we nominate the first black woman as our Democratic nominee.”

The Democratic National Convention will occur from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois. Vice President Harris and any individual seeking the presidential nomination must qualify to receive votes from convention delegates. The Louisiana delegation joins President Joe Biden, Congressman Troy Carter, and other significant organizations and elected officials in endorsing Vice President Harris. 

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