Baldone announces bid for state Senate seat

Louisiana State Rep. Damon Baldone has announced his intention to challenge state Sen. Norby Chabert for the District 20 seat.

Baldone, a Democrat, is a lifelong resident of Houma, graduate of Nicholls State University and earned his law degree at the Southern University Law Center. He has served in the state House of Representatives since 2001.

In terms of accomplishments, Baldone points to doing his part in securing funds for Morganza-to-the-Gulf construction, the Leon Theriot Lock in Golden Meadow, Larose to Golden Meadow hurricane protection, Whiskey Island and Lake Merchant Marsh restoration and various dredging projects.

“Every day, I continue to fight to improve our hurricane protection and to rebuild our coast,” Baldone said. “I have served on the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Coastal Restoration and Conservation as well as the Bayou Lafourche Freshwater Diversion Committee.”

Baldone said that by working with other members of the Tri-parish delegation he has been able to “obtain more funding than ever before in history for coastal restoration, hurricane protection and healthcare providers.”

As a state representative, Baldone has worked to protect Nicholls University from budget cuts, assisted in securing funding for public elementary and high schools, and assisted in seeing that Louisiana teachers attained an average level salary among southern states.

Baldone has served on the House Commerce and Criminal Justice Committee and is a member of the state Ways and Means Committee. He was part of a DWI task force that was instrumental in toughening laws regarding drunk driving. He also was a lead author in legislation to strengthen laws pertaining to sexual predators that threaten children.

“As a teacher I have helped to educate our children, as a business owner I created jobs in our community, as an attorney I have fought for those affected by the BP oil spill and as a legislator I have led the charge to secure more funding for our coast,” Baldone said.

In his various roles, Baldone said he has attempted to understand public concerns and put the interests of those her represents first.

“When I look to the future, my commitment is to make a difference on jobs and my interest in serving has not changed,” Baldone said. “We need more small business owners in the legislature who understand about sticking to their guns and putting economic development first,” Baldone said.