Central Rep. Barry Ivey, Rep. Valarie Hodges On Opposite Sides of Race for House Speake

On election night, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, Louisiana voters went to bed after learning Republicans had won huge majorities in the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives. Final returns showed the new Senate would have 27 Republicans and 12 Democrats, while the House would have 68 Republicans, 35 Democrats, and two with no party affiliation.

It appeared Republicans would be able to bring a new conservative style of governance to the State Capitol, even with a Democrat, Gov. John Bel Edwards, on the 4th floor. In the Senate, the Republican caucus rallied around Sen. Page Cortez, who was elected Senate President Monday.

However, in the House, things played out very differently. Back in December, two-thirds of the Republican caucus and most strong conservatives in the House voted to support Rep. Sherman Mack of Albany for Speaker. However, Rep. Clay Schexnayder who lost the battle for Speaker in the Republican caucus, continued his campaign and sought the support of the 35 House Democrats and two independents. 

Gov. Edwards weighed in on Schexnayder’s behalf and ultimately delivered. On Monday, the hopes of clear Republican control of the legislative process in Louisiana were dashed when Schexnayder won the Speaker’s race 60-45. With Edwards’ support, he put together  a coalition of 23 Republicans, including almost all of the moderates in the GOP caucus, all 35 Democrats, and the two independents.

Despite their commanding 68-35-2 majority in the House, Republicans snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Central’s two members of the Louisiana, Republican Reps. Valarie Hodges and Barry Ivey, ended up on different sides of the Speaker’s race. Hodges supported Rep. Sherman Mack, while Ivey supported Rep. Clay Schexnayder.

Rep. Hodges said she admired Rep. Schexnayder for the conservative stand he has normally taken on issues, but expressed grave concern about dividing the Republican caucus and turning over an unknown number of committee chairmanships and even majority control of some committees to Democrats, who have become more and more liberal. Hodges, like many of Mack’s supporters, said that once again the governor has wrestled away control of the legislature. 

Rep. Ivey said he sees things differently. “The Democrats had to choose between two conservative Republicans. Clay is a strong conservative, and he’s not butt hurt. He’ll be a gracious victor.” Ivey said he is more concerned about policy than politics, and this approach will produce greater victories on policy. 

He said, “Give Clay a chance. I’m excited and optimistic!”