Claston Bernard: Articulate Conservative Leads GOP Effort in Congressional Race

By Woody Jenkins • Editor • Central City News • BATON ROUGE — Saturday is a day for Special Elections in Louisiana, and voters will choose a new Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District, replacing Cedric Richmond.

The district is heavily Democratic, but the Republican, Claston Bernard, has proven to be an outstanding and aggressive campaigner.

He is also an articulate conservative who quotes thinkers like Frederick Bastiat and Milton Friedman.

On Tuesday, Bernard carried his message for freedom, constitutional government, and respect for human rights to the Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon at Café Américain in Baton Rouge.

Bernard inspired the conservative audience with stories about his life, how he was born in Jamaica but dreamed of coming to America.  He said freedom is what makes America different and worth defending.

He rejected appeals to race being made by the Left and said, “The key is not race but policy.  If your policies are bad, how does your race help any of us?”

“I wasn’t born in this country, but I am an American through and through.”

He said encouraging marriage is the most important thing we can do to fight poverty. He said we should support the man and woman standing together as a family.

Bernard is well known in Baton Rouge as an Olympian who helped lead LSU to four straight National NCAA championships.  He told the audience some of his track stories.

Bernard urged voters to pick up the phone and call their friends in the 2nd District before Saturday.