Jeremy Alford: New strategy lifting (Louisiana) Black Caucus

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While the Legislative Black Caucus has a long and proud history in the Louisiana Legislature, the last two terms have seen the organization ramp up its fundraising apparatus like never before as the membership forged new political alliances and modernized its approach to policymaking.

On the staffing level, there’s also a reinvigorated approach to across-the-board communications, from social media and mainstream media to legislative relations and voter outreach. There’s even new leadership. Term-limited Rep. Ted James, D-Baton Rouge, was elected as chairman of the Caucus earlier this year and has since pushed the group to be more open to bipartisan efforts.

During an interview last week, James reflected on the spring and summer of 2020, when he said COVID-19 nearly took his life before protestors packed the streets to bring awareness to police brutality. James told friends and family at the time he was ready to exit politics, leaving many to simply wonder when.

As we settle into yet another Louisiana summer, James sounds more optimistic, even in the wake of a divisive, ugly session. “I remember when the Caucus worked with the (conservative) Fiscal Hawks during the (Bobby) Jindal years and we lived in a time when you could be bipartisan and not be criticized,” said James. “We can do that again. That’s why I personally feel reenergized. The House won’t be my last stop.”

This past session served as a reminder that the Caucus is capable of leveraging its institutional knowledge and playing some hardball politics. The Caucus is competitive against other factions that can stop a 70-vote threshold in the House, for example, especially when you consider the seniority of the membership. There are 18 Caucus members who face term limits this go around and next, including seven who are on the way out and another 11 on deck for next term.

The regular session that was adjourned two weeks ago saw the Caucus bring tax reform to a screeching halt in a successful effort to remove the House education chairman. Then the membership turned around and helped the leadership pass the same tax package.

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“We know that we are going to have the fight of our lives during redistricting,” said James, who also serves as chair of the Criminal Justice Committee. “We’ve engaged a demographer through our PAC. And what’s going to be different this time is we are going to have our own maps.”

The Republican leadership has already done the same thing, using its Leadership Louisiana outfit to hire external help to assist in the redistricting process. The Black Caucus, for its part, is refusing to allow that maneuver to go unanswered.

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The Caucus PAC is meant to coexist peacefully alongside the foundation, which is meeting a much broader audience than in previous terms. Members have shown a willingness to work with new partners, like the Louisiana Association of Business of Industry, which hosted a fundraiser for the foundation last month. “I think people across the political spectrum can appreciate the work of the foundation,” said James.

The Caucus awards scholarships through the foundation, which has long been used to pay for operations as well.

Members also met with representatives of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association during the first week of the regular session, which is a relationship Rep. Randal Gaines developed during his previous tenure as Caucus chair. Members have worked with LMOGA to develop job fairs and explore other workforce collaborations, which is a conversation James said is happening with LABI’s staff, too.

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When asked what contributed to his bipartisan approach this term, James reached across the proverbial aisle to give partial credit to the speaker, setting what he and others hope will be a positive tone for the remainder of the term. “I know people gave the speaker a lot of angst about appointing me as criminal justice chair,” James said. “That forced me to look at this job differently. I learned that as chair, you have to facilitate the conversation, keep it moving and be as respectful as possible to all sides.”

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As someone who has been very frustrated with the efforts of some in the Legislature trying to pass early parole for legit violent criminals (including rape and murder convictions), I obviously was not thrilled with Rep. James being given the House Criminal Justice Chair. However, I have liked how he has encouraged his Caucus core to be more engaging with pro-business, conservative leaning organizations like LMOGA and LCA (Louisiana Chemical Association). Hopefully that's a trait that can continue.

From a numbers/politics perspective, the redistricting session could be very interesting.