Harrison seeks re-election

State Rep. Joe Harrison has announced his intention to seek a second term to represent residents of District 51 in Baton Rouge.

Originally elected to the position in 2007, Harrison said he is committed to build on his record of success that has included enhancements to public education, attention to coastal restoration, facilitating economic development and backing health care, insurance and tax reform. Harrison has also been actively involved in promoting both the oil and gas and the seafood industries.

“It’s been a genuine honor to serve the people of Louisiana and the citizens of District 51,” he said. “We have weathered many challenges, both natural and manmade, and have made great progress in the areas of importance to us.”

Harrison said a second term for him would mean continuing to fight for restoration of oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, restoration of the seafood industry, pushing for fiscal responsibility in government and focusing on improvements for education.

District 51 covers portions of Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes. During his first term, Harrison said he has done all he could to represent each of these areas and their specific interests while serving on the House appropriations committee, education subcommittee for appropriations, joint committee on budget and the natural resources and environmental committee.

Harrison is the judiciary committee chairman of the Bayou Lafourche Division Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, chairman of the select joint committee on oversight of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, and is a board member of the Supreme Court ad-hoc committee.

Additional committees upon which Harrison serves include the Tobacco Settlement Board, Education for American Legislative Exchange, the U.S. Energy Council, and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion Board.

Harrison is also a member of the Acadiana Delegation Caucus, Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation and the Louisiana Rural Caucus.

“I am energized by the incredible people of District 51,” Harrison said. “[I] look forward to all we can accomplish in my next term.”