Shreveport Rep. Alan Seabaugh gets head start on race for North Louisiana state Senate seat

Greg Hilburn
Shreveport Times
Louisiana state Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport

Shreveport Republican state Rep. Alan Seabaugh, who's built a reputation as an an uncompromising and sometimes combative conservative, is getting a head start on the field in the race for what will be a vacant northern Louisiana Senate seat in 2023.

Seabaugh has served in the House since 2010 but is term limited.

He is seeking to replace Natchitoches Republican Sen. Louie Bernard, who announced he is retiring after one term representing Senate District 31 but more than 40 years of elective public service.

"I have family throughout the district," Seabaugh said in a statement. "I know the people. I know and understand their wants and needs as well as their passions and enthusiasms.

"I know how to get things done in the Louisiana Legislature. I would be proud to put my experience, work ethic and conservative American values to work for them and to be their voice in the Louisiana Senate.”

Seabaugh told USA Today Network he is officially launching his campaign on June 14 because it is both Flag Day and his late brother David Seabaugh's birthday.

"It's a sentimental day for me," he said.

Seabaugh begins his campaign already having secured the endorsements of popular Republican Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson of Benton and Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. 

"Alan Seabaugh is a champion for the fundamental freedoms and traditional values that have always been a priority for the people of Louisiana," Johnson in a statement. "He is battle tested and proven as one of the most intelligent and fearless conservative leaders in our state — and in these fateful times that is precisely what is needed in the Louisiana Senate."

Landry said Seabaugh "has the courage of his conservative convictions and has fought to lower taxes, reduce crime and defend our values. We can trust Alan to be brave and bold  — standing up against the radical left and their woke ideology," Landry said.

Seabaugh has already lined up a campaign fundraiser Wednesday in Baton Rouge.

The new District 31 boundaries include parts of 10 parishes, but 70% of the population within the district is located in Bossier, Caddo, Natchitoches and Sabine parishes. Bienville, DeSoto, Rapides, Red River, Webster and Winn are the other parishes within the district.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.