Five Running for House Seat from Central

 Five candidates are running to replace Rep. Barry Ivey who is term-limited, for House District 65 from Central.  

It is a strong field and each of the five has his own strengths but as is often the case in Central, the election seems to boil down to a grass roots, house-to-house battle of who does the best job of reaching voters face to face.

The candidates are

•Brandon Ivey, twin brother of outgoing Rep. Barry Ivey. The brothers obviously have a lot in common. They are both conservative business owners and family men.  They look alike and even their wives look a bit alike!  Meanwhile, Barry is running for the Louisiana Senate.

To help voters understand that there are indeed two Iveys running, not just one, the brothers have bought some advertising together. It was a clever tactic and seems to be working.

•Metro Councilman Aaron Moak seems to be a strong candidate. He previously served on the Central City Council and is using his experience in government to gain support. He seems ahead in the sign war.

•Jamie Pope is a private investigator who has lobbied for conservative causes in the legislature for several years.  She has the endorsement of Rep. Beryl Amedee and several other conservative legislators. Ms. Pope has gained experience in the legislative process and is working hard door to door.

•Attorney Lauren Ventrella has certainly had the most colorful campaign, as she started her campaign while expecting her new baby. The newborn has been a hit and quite a vote-getter for mom.  Ventrella is a trial attorney, and she and her para rescue husband have a small farm.  

She has the endorsement of Sen. Bodi White and is doing well in the sign war.

•Steve Whitlow is an attorney who is very active in St. Alphonsus.  He practices with his wife who is also an attorney.  They are part of the Starkey family and well connected in Central.  

Whitlow served as principal at Starkey Academy.  He has been a leader in efforts to help autistic young people learn job skills and enter the job market.

After interviewing all the candidates and having them answers detailed questions on the issues, the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge endorsed Steve Whitlow for the seat.