Lance Harris

Background

Harris attended Louisiana College in his native Pineville and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Harris owns the Leebo's chain of convenience stores.

In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 22, 2011, Harris defeated his only opponent, fellow Republican Barett Byrd, a retired colonel in the United States Marine Corps from Woodworth. Harris succeeded Democratic Representative Chris Roy, Jr., of Alexandria, effective January 2012. Harris defeated Byrd, 7,577 votes (55.5 percent) to 6,088 (44.6 percent) to claim the position. Harris was elected chairman of the Louisiana Republican legislative delegation in December 2012. In 2020, he was succeeded by Rep. Blake Miguez as chairman.

At the beginning of his third term in 2020, Harris was named Chairman of the House Retirement Committee and additionally serves on the Appropriations Committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and the House Select Leadership Committee. He is a member of the Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation and the Louisiana Rural Caucus.

Legislative record

In 2013, Harris endorsed Governor Bobby Jindal's decision to withdraw a plan to increase sales taxes while at the same time repealing the state income tax. Jindal dropped the plan after opposition surfaced in public opinion polls and among legislators. "While repeal is off the table for this legislative session, we will continue to work on the issue so that we can craft a responsible way to achieve our objectives in reforming the tax code in the future," Harris said.

In May 2016, he wrote an amendment to Louisiana's hate crime statue, adding protections for police officers and firefighters who are targeted based on their profession. The amendment was signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards.

References

References

1. (6 December 2020). "Luke Letlow projected winner of U.S. House District 5".
2. (May 27, 2015). "Lance Harris's Biography". [[Project Vote Smart]].
3. (March 2023). "Byrd, Harris vying for open Louisiana House District 25 seat". [[The Town Talk (Alexandria).
4. (December 2017). "Byrd to seek Louisiana District 25 seat held by Roy". Alexandria Daily Town Talk, July 14, 2011.
5. "Rep. Roy opts for family time over running for reelection". The Alexandria Town Talk, July 20, 2011.
6. "Louisiana primary election returns, October 22, 2011". staticresults.sos.la.gov.
7. "Louisiana House of Representatives".
8. (March 2023). ""Alexandria Rep. Harris supports shelving of Jindal's income tax repeal", April 16, 2013". The Alexandria Town Talk, April 17, 2013}}{{Dead link.
9. Richard P. Sharkey. (April 10, 2015). "Central La. legislators: Get rid of Common Core". The Alexandria Town Talk.
10. "Lance Harris's Ratings and Endorsements". Project Vote Smart.
11. (May 27, 2015). "Lance Harris's Voting Records". Project Vote Smart.
12. (November 2018). "Vivian Brossett, January 1967". Louisiana Secretary of State.
13. "Qualifying Update: Harris draws last-minute challenger". The Alexandria Town Talk.
14. "Vivian Ebase Brossett". intelius.com.
15. (May 27, 2016). "Louisiana Enacts Hate Crimes Law to Protect a New Group: Police". The New York Times.