Here's a brief update on my October 14 re-election to House District 91, what's happening in other Louisiana races, and a cheat sheet for you to remind friends and neighbors why you're supporting my return to Baton Rouge.

And, here's a cheat sheet for you when any candidate asks for your support:

(1) Why are you running?

(2) How will you do a better job than the incumbent and/or other candidates?

(3) What are your connections to the district? How long have you lived here?

The interns and I knock and call people daily, deliver shirts and signs, fundraise, chatter on social media, the works. In between, I work as a lawyer and continue performing my duties as a state legislator.  Please sign up here or email me if you have some time to help. Considering how gloomy national politics can be, I hope that you think my continued presence in Louisiana politics is a little blue lightbulb.

--Mandie

Other candidates are able to "self-fund" their campaigns. Not me. I will soon have to spend on mail and paid social media. Small donors are my lifeline, but if you are considering a bigger investment in my political career, I'd love to sit down with you or have a call at your convenience, email [email protected].

I qualified on Tuesday to run for re-election to House District 91. This year there was a twist - I have covid, so I asked my friend Graham to file my paperwork for me. While I've felt a little cruddy, it's not horrible and I'm so glad that I'm vaccinated. It's going around right now, so please test if you have any questions.

Qualifying with COVID, a modern twist

A slew of candidates have qualified for legislative and statewide races. The governor's race is of course going to be bananas. Because this is Louisiana, four candidates named Landry have qualified (Mandie, Jeff, Nancy, Jacob), and to my knowledge none of us are related. You can find out who qualified for what race on the SOS website.

Also: The Governor directed the state Pardon Board to decide whether to grant clemency to Louisiana's death row inmates, which could result in life imprisonment versus capital punishment. Capital punishment is extremely expensive due to the appeal process; the punishment is heavily biased against Black and brown people, the poor, and those with severe mental health issues; and more importantly: it does not deter crime.  Life imprisonment is a severe sentence and should be used for the most heinous of crimes.

Here are a few quick points for when people ask why you're supporting me (you can also direct them to mandielandry.com). 

OVERALL: I've figured out, repeatedly, how to do legislative math: when there are only 33 Democrats and you need 53 votes to pass a bill, you have to reach across 20 more aisles to make that vote. I've also helped give many of our people the opportunity to tell their stories to legislators, often for the first time. The past four years are proof that you can stand strong for your district's values and still get things done. I take my obligations seriously and use my elected position to educate the legislature and the public.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Defense of reproductive rights is critical post Roe. I worked in this field as a lawyer prior to serving, and it's one of the main reasons I decided to run. I've represented Louisiana nationwide on reproductive and abortion rights, including recently at the White House, and also met with the Secretary of HHS regarding maternal health care issues (see all below).

While representing Louisiana at the White House Convening on Reproductive Rights, I met some other amazing Southern legislators, including Gloria Johnson of the Tennessee Three.

I've made big progress in my 4 years, including (1) expanding postpartum health care by over $20 million per year, making Louisiana the first state in the nation to do so under a Biden administration program, and (2) ending solitary confinement for pregnant women and new mothers, the first change to state solitary confinement laws in a century. I've also passed other legislation relating to maternal health care.

Speaking with MSNBC right after the fall of Roe

Visiting Touro with Secretary Becerra to learn about their new pilot baby box program.

I've tried repeatedly to clarify in Louisiana law that the state won't throw women in jail who have abortions. I am going to pursue this until it's done

SAFETY AND CRIME: I recently passed a bipartisan gun safety bill - a rare feat in Louisiana. The gun safe tax credit passed unanimously, and earned a glowing editorial from the Times-Picayune: "“Bipartisan understates the support Landry’s bill generated. It passed both the House and Senate unanimously. We applaud Landry, an indefatigable liberal, for finding a way to rally her conservative colleagues behind a sensible gun safety measure."

Last week, the TP printed a front page article on another bill I passed, HB 370. With this bill, the city will be able to throw slumlords in jail if they don't sell or clean up their disgusting, crime-infested properties. I worked with the Mayor's office, state legislators, District Attorney Jason Williams, and Councilmember Eugene Green to pass this bill. It is another step in helping to clear up some of the spreading crime in our city, and will assist in expanding affordable housing. The lack of housing in our city has contributed to the recent rise in homelessness.

MISC INFO FOR YOU: Gambit readers voted me their favorite legislator two years in a row. I am now Crimefighter of the year for passing a gun safety bill! During Hurricane Ida, I was able to tell the world what was happening here on the ground in Louisiana. The award I received from the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center is one of my proudest.

You can also visit my website or text me with questions.

Thank you for everything, and I'm excited to see what we can get done with 4 more years.

Mandie

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