Valarie Hodges To Seek House District 64 Seat In Oct. 22 Vote

CENTRAL — Central native Valarie Hodges has announced her candidacy for State Representative from House District 64, which is 55 percent in Livingston, 35 percent in Central, and the remainder in Zachary, Brownsfield, and Pride.

Valarie Hodges’ husband, Leland Hodges, is also a Central native.  Her mother was the sister of Sterling Kennard, the father of former Rep. Donald Ray Kennard.

Valarie has become well known around the state as a leader of the Louisiana Republican Party.  She serves on the eight-member Executive Committee of the party, and is a spokesman for Christian and conservative values.

Leland Hodges is a local pastor and homebuilder.  Valarie is a pastor’s wife, mother, grandmother, and businesswoman, who has run two local businesses and administered a non-profit organization.

Valerie grew up on Foster Road in Central.  She and Leland attended Central High School until their senior year, when they were caught up in busing and had to go to Glen Oaks High School, where they graduated.  They have been married 39 years and live in Watson.

As a leader of the Louisiana Republican Party, Valarie has worked tirelessly to elect conservative leaders to public office. She supports efforts to bring out-of-control government spending to sustainable levels.  She opposes additional taxes.

She has spent the last 10 years as a volunteer in political campaigns and with organizations such as CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) and WOW (a shelter aiding battered women and children).  She has been a leader in community efforts such as the “Eastover Makeover.”

Valarie helped to restart the Livingston Parish Republican Women five years ago and served as club president.

She and Leland were missionaries to Mexico. “I have traveled to 3rd world countries and have seen the poverty that accompanies socialistic societies such as Cuba and Mexico. This experience gives me a passionate desire to fight socialism in America by working hard to elect conservatives at every level of government and to implement pro-business and pro-job creation policies. I now want to take a more active role, because I believe that one person can make a difference. I have committed my life to helping others have a better quality of life and believe that I can make a positive contribution as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives,” she said.

“Under the leadership of Governor Jindal, Louisiana has seen dramatic improvement. But we need even more reform,” Hodges said. “We must cut taxes on our families and businesses and continue to transform Louisiana into the best place in America to raise a family, start a business, and create quality jobs. We must improve education and give parents additional choices. And we must improve traffic conditions by working together to find new solutions,” she said.

Valarie said she is committed to working with other leaders to find innovative ways to improve highways and infrastructure in and around District 64—without raising taxes and without destroying the safety and current climate of our communities.  She is an opponent of the Baton Rouge Loop.

House District 64 is currently represented by Rep. Bodi White, who is seeking election to the Senate.