State Representative Matthew Willard, the leader in every preliminary poll, will not seek election to the New Orleans City Council. Read why below.
NEW ORLEANS — To the residents of District D,
After many days of prayer and deep introspection, I have decided to not pursue the New Orleans City Council District D seat. I am humbled by the show of support and the messages of encouragement that I received from the community regarding this upcoming election. Every day I arrive at the Capitol to work on your behalf, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve you. I do not take this privilege lightly. My father has always advised me against beginning something that I am not prepared to finish, and there still remains much work for me to do in the legislature.
Just this year I worked with criminal justice reform advocates and the business community to pass the Fair Chance Hiring Act, ensuring that our formerly incarcerated have better employment opportunities. I upheld a campaign commitment and passed a constitutional amendment to institute a property assessment cap to help keep New Orleans families in their homes. I collaborated with birthing experts from around the state to pass HB 190 to improve birthing outcomes in Louisiana. I established the House STEM Innovation Caucus and have championed entrepreneurship, economic diversification, and access to capital for minority and women-owned businesses. While I acknowledge that these are wins and effect progress, I am not satisfied with where they will take us. Still, much work is required. In 2019 I committed to the people of District 97 to carry thoughtfully crafted legislation that will improve the lives of our children and families. Today, I am honoring that commitment.
I am so grateful to everyone who encouraged me to seek the City Council District D seat; however, there remains too much work in Baton Rouge. And while that work may never be fully completed, I am not yet ready to relent. I wish the best of luck to every candidate seeking to represent District D on the New Orleans City Council, and I am confident that I will have a strong partner with whom I can work to improve quality of life issues for all of us.
Sincerely,
Matthew Willard
Louisiana State Representative, District 97
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