Barry Elkins, Valarie Hodges in House District 64

CENTRAL — The following candidates are seeking the office of representative from House District 64 on Saturday, Oct. 22:

Barry Elkins

House District 64

Barry Elkins was born in Delhi and grew up on a dairy farm in Rayville.  At the age of 14, his parents moved to Baton Rouge so they could both start a career in teaching.  Until their retirement, his mother, Amelia Elkins was principal of LaSalle Elementary and his father, Charles Elkins was the horticultural teacher at Broadmoor Jr. High.

After graduation from Broadmoor High, Barry attended LSU where he obtained a B.S. in zoology.  For three years, Barry taught in the public school system in Webster and St. Tammany parishes.  When Barry was offered the opportunity to work for a large medical equipment company, he decided to make a career change from education to sales.  In 1990 he and his wife, Angela LeBlanc enrolled at Southern Law Center and graduated in 1994 both obtaining J.D. degrees.   They own Magnolia Title of Baton Rouge.

Barry said he has reached a time in his life where he wants to give back and what better way than through public service.  He is not a career politician but a businessman who is ready to work hard for the citizens of District 64 using his experience and education to decide on issues that affect us today and into the future.

Barry is passionate about public education.  He is a strong supporter of the public school system and wants to continue to look for solutions that will help the system expand and improve to meet the needs of our children.  He supports school choice and believes every parent should have the right to decide where their child should go to school based on that child’s individual needs.  Barry believes a strong education is the key to a child’s success in life and wants to find ways to increase the presence of technical schools in our area.

Elkins’ experience as a real estate closing attorney has made him keenly aware of the economics of our district.  As our state has experienced a slump in the economy, the values of our homes have continued to decline.  Unfortunately the homes have not been reassessed to reflect these declining values and the citizens are paying property taxes based on inflated values.  Barry believes this needs to be addressed through legislation.  Barry also supports Amendment No. 1 Act No. 425 which “prohibits the levy of new taxes or fees upon the sale or transfer of immovable property, including documentary transaction taxes or fees, or any other tax or fee, by the state or any of its political subdivisions after November 30, 2011.”  According to Barry, the implement a sales tax on a real estate transaction would have a devastating impact on the housing market which is already in a slump.   With property values declining today, sellers are seeing a reduction in their net proceeds.  If a sales tax was imposed on the sale of their home, then their net proceeds would be even lower.  Furthermore, if the sales tax was charged to the purchaser instead of the seller, then that would mean the purchaser would need to provide additional funds for the purchase of the home.

As an avid hunter and a NRA member for over 20 years, Barry believes everyone has the right to defend himself and his loved ones while in his home without any “duty to flee” from  the attacker.  He believes the 2nd amendment right should be protected.  Barry received the AQ rating from the NRA.

He supports phasing out the Louisiana Personal and Corporate Income Tax, making Louisiana more attractive for new businesses to move to Louisiana which will increase the state’s tax base as well as offer more job opportunities.  Surviving the economic problems of the eighties, Barry believes Louisiana will overcome the shortfalls of this economy and again prosper from the strength and dedication of the citizens of this state.

As both a fiscal and social conservative Republican, Barry has a vision and a plan for District 64.  He is not afraid to stand up and protect the U.S. Constitution.

Endorsements

Barry Elkins has gained endorsements from LABI, LOGA, EBR Republican PEC, ABC, Louisiana REALTORS PAC, and Home Builders PAC.  Elkins’ competitor in the race for House District 64, Valarie Hodges, also received an endorsement from LOGA and ABC.

Valarie Hodges

House District 64

Central native Valarie Hodges is a candidate 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. Valarie is first cousin to Rep. Donald Ray Kennard. 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 until their senior year, when they were caught up in busing and had to go to Glen Oaks, 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 favors a bridge across the Amite at Hooper Road but is an opponent of the Baton Rouge Loop.  She pledges to vote against any additional taxes and to work to repeal the state personal and corporate income taxes.

House District 64 is represented by Rep. Bodi White.