NEW ORLEANS — State Representative Matthew Willard, who serves District 97 in the Louisiana House of Representatives, today announced that he will qualify in July for the Council At-Large seat being vacated by Councilmember Helena Moreno. The election is scheduled for October 11, 2025.
“It is time that we advance beyond mediocrity. It is time to make New Orleans a city in which we all take pride, to restore New Orleans to its glory, ensuring that all of us are excited to live, work, and raise a family here. We have become accustomed to a city that does not work for the people, and that is unacceptable,” said Rep. Willard.
“We deserve city services that are properly performed on time. We deserve a safe, clean city that is free of litter, blight and discarded tires. We deserve an economic development plan that grows our city by providing quality job opportunities to everyone. It is now time for us to roll up our sleeves, get to work, and move our city forward.”
Rep. Willard has served in the Louisiana House of Representatives since 2020, representing Gentilly, Faubourg St. John and Mid-City neighborhoods. In 2021, he founded and became Chairperson of the STEM Innovation Caucus, and in 2023, he was elected as the Chairperson for the House Democratic Caucus.
As a Legislator, Rep. Willard eliminated “estimated bills” from the Sewerage and Water Board, made the Louisiana Fortify Homes grant program permanent, and forced insurance companies to provide homeowners with a discount for a fortified roof. He has passed bills to address the shortage of NOPD officers, to help the City of New Orleans address blight, graffiti, and overgrown lots, and to ensure people living with a disability retain their property tax freeze. Rep. Willard also sponsored a constitutional amendment in 2021 that, if passed, would have capped property assessments in New Orleans to 10 percent annually.
“I was honored to be elected as a Louisiana State Representative six years ago. Since then, I have built coalitions and worked tirelessly to address critical issues in Louisiana, including teacher pay raises, affordable insurance rates, infrastructure needs, and economic growth and diversification. My legislation has capped out-of-pocket costs for insulin, expanded access to contraceptive prescriptions, and prioritized healthier birthing outcomes by securing insurance coverage for doula and midwifery services,” said Rep. Matthew Willard.
“When I see a problem, I respond with a solution. I bring stakeholders together to find a path forward and deliver results. One of the first bills that I passed provides better access to job opportunities for formerly incarcerated people, and I worked with Step Up Louisiana and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry to create that law. The New Orleans City Council needs leaders who can build working coalitions that deliver.”
Representative Willard is a graduate of Jesuit High School and the University of New Orleans. He is the Marketing Director for Yokogawa Fluence Analytics, a former tech startup that began in the Physics Department at Tulane University and was acquired in 2023 by Yokogawa Electric Corporation. He comes from a long line of dedicated public servants in New Orleans, including former School Board Member Dr. Elliot C. Willard and former City Councilmember and State Legislator Cynthia Willard Lewis.
“I am running for Councilmember At-Large because I believe in New Orleans, its people and future. But belief alone is not enough. We need action and leadership. We need someone who listens, fights, and never gives up. That’s who I am. That’s what I do,” said Rep. Willard. “I am asking that you stand with me so that, together, we can make our vision for New Orleans a reality.”
Rep. Willard is a lifelong resident of Gentilly who has received multiple awards for his social advocacy and economic development initiatives in the Louisiana Legislature. In 2024, he was awarded Legislator of the Year by the Alliance for Good Government, and he was recognized as a 40 Under 40 leader by Gambit New Orleans. Learn more at www.MatthewWillard.com.
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