Thursday, September 17, 2015

Race for State Senate 36th District

Robert Adley is being term-limited out of the State Senate, leaving the seat open. There are three contenders, and in my opinion all are top quality. Burns comes closest to being an incumbent in this race with all of the blessings and burdens that go along with that. My opinion is that it won't make a difference.
Gatti is running a very aggressive campaign and seems to be very well funded. Hollenshead is also campaigning actively. Frankly, I'm undecided in this one, they all have points that I like. Click on their names to go to their websites.

Henry Burns has been serving as Representative for the 9th District and was the first to announce for the seat. Burns, a retired Army Officer, is a former owner/operator of The Wooden Spoon Bakery for 22 years. He is also an independent oil & gas operator and raises thoroughbreds.
“My sole purpose has been to serve you and encourage you...on the frontline everyday. We share the same concerns of taxes, highways, ethical government, economic development, and education.”
Burns could have run for another term in the State House, but chose to seek the Senate Seat instead.

Ryan Gatti is a Bossier City attorney who is seeking his first political office.
For the last 15 years, Ryan Gatti has served Northwest Louisiana as a Bossier based attorney and small business owner. He has helped countless families going through their toughest times, including families dealing with situations resulting in traumatic brain injuries. He served as President of the Bossier Bar Association and in 2013, he was selected to receive a Crystal Gavel Award for his commendable efforts in aiding the administration of justice by gathering and reviewing a significant number of cases on behalf of the 26th Judicial District Court. Ryan also sat as District 1W Judge in Shreveport from 2007-2009, presiding over Workers’ Compensation trials.
A lifelong conservative, Ryan is the Vice President of the Republican Party of Bossier Parish.  An active member of First Baptist Church of Bossier, he is both a deacon and teacher for kids and youth.
Todd Hollenshead is a businessman and farmer and like Gatti is seeking his first political office. Hollenshead is concerned about the state’s $700 million annual budget deficit, the rising cost of college tuition, industry leaving the state, and the struggles facing Louisiana-based small businesses. He is pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, and supports gun rights.
“I believe our state needs new direction. We need leaders who will work hard for Louisiana and not be tied to the lobbyists and out-of-state special interests. I will listen to the concerns of our small-business owners, working families and the middle class and get to work for them.”


If you are a candidate for office and would like to address the voters with your platform for office, please send a few paragraphs to mybossier@gmail.com and we will publish it.  Attach a picture if you like and we’ll include it.

42 comments:

  1. Foster Campbell is helping T. Hollenshead. Todd is a big democrat and he will get lots of Votes with Campbell's help. Burns was a democrat til 7 years ago- he's voted for over 700 million in new taxes. Democrats will take this race.

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  2. Teachers should support Gatti- he will fight for us! The other two will not

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    1. I am a teacher, and Ryan and I talk often about state issues. We agree on all points.

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  3. Gatti will support teachers- http://www.ryangatti.com/education/
    He will fight for Bistineau.

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  4. Gatti will win. He is working hard - we need new ideas from a smart young business owner-- he's Vice President of Republican Party of Bossier- he has what it takes---
    https://www.facebook.com/ryangattistatesenate
    Like his FB page and watch his commercials.

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  5. Gatti is the clear choice in this race. Not only do his actions support his promises for Bossier, but he is also the one candidate who actually understands our laws, how they affect us as citizens, and what changes need to be made for the betterment of our community.

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  6. I hope the Citizens of District 36 will look closely at Gatti. Burns has been there and in my opinion is part of the problem. He has voted for taxes and been a good puppet in the Legislature. One ad he is running tries to justify his vote to raise our taxes. It is time for change'

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  7. I was at Gatti's Ringgold meeting. He discussed the Salvinia problem. He had some great original ideas. I think he's just what we need in our area to fix all the problems caused by neglecting our area.

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  8. Gatti will stand up for special needs children. The last eight years has been horrible on those that can protect themselves the least. Www.gattigirls.blogspot.com

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  9. Gatti is the clear choice.

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  10. Nothing against Henry. Nice guy. Know him well. But he isn't what we need now. Need an aggressive fighter. Going with Gatti.

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  11. All I care about is budget. Burns voted for tax increases this year. That did it for me. Voting Gatti.

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  12. Didn't Burns say the open burn in Doyline was safe! How could he do that to the folks in Doyline. He's an explosive expert?

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  13. You can't say you are against common core and then vote for a compromise because Jindal asks for it. Burns was Bobby's boy.... That worked out well... Not

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  14. The folks in Doyline call him Henry "open" Burns - can't believe he told people and press burning those carcinogens was safe-then after they called him on it he flip flopped .

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  15. For the last 15 years, Ryan Gatti has served Northwest Louisiana as a Bossier based attorney and small business owner. He has helped countless families and landowners going through their toughest times, including families dealing with situations resulting in traumatic brain injuries.
    He serves as President of the Bossier Bar Association and in 2013, he was selected to receive a Crystal Gavel Award for his commendable efforts in aiding the administration of justice by gathering and reviewing a significant numbers of cases on behalf of the 26th Judicial District Court. Ryan also sat as District 1W Judge in Shreveport from 2007-2009, presiding over Workers’ Compensation trials. District 1W serves Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Red River and Desoto Parishes. Ryan attended and completed training at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada.
    Ryan serves the Louisiana State Bar Association as a Member of the House of Delegates.
    He owns Instant Shade Trees, LLC a company that transplants live oak trees from their farm in Plain Dealing.
    A lifelong conservative, Ryan is the Vice President of the Republican Party of Bossier Parish. An active member of First Baptist Church of Bossier, he is both a deacon and teacher for kids and youth, and has participated in mission trips to impoverished parts of the world such as Haiti, El Salvador and Mexico. Ryan serves as Louisiana Trustee on the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention since 2012. He has also served as volunteer coach of Dixie League Softball and Upwards Soccer. He served as a Duke in the Krewe of Justinian.
    Ryan was co-valedictorian of his graduating class of Airline High School. Ryan attended LSU Baton Rouge and graduated in 3 years. Ryan was president of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at LSU. Ryan graduated from LSU Law School and was elected repeatedly to serve as president to his fellow law students.
    Ryan worked as a Law Clerk in the Louisiana Senate Office during law school. Ryan was selected to serve a one year term on the Louisiana Board of Regents by the Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents.
    Susan Lockhart Gatti is a graduate of Airline High School. She earned her undergraduate, masters and PhD in Psychology with a specialty in School Psychology from LSU Baton Rouge. Ryan has been married to Susan Gatti, Ph.D. for over 19 years. Susan most recently was employed as an Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University- Health Science Center in Shreveport at the Children’s Center from 2003-2007 and recently served as the assistant headmaster at Providence Classical Academy in Bossier City until 2014. Together they have created their greatest accomplishments – their four daughters Katherine (15), Elizabeth (12), Rebecca (8) and Charlotte (5).

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  16. Gatti is like trump only he knows his bible-- lol

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  17. Ryan supports a strong education system with decisions in the hands of our teachers. He will fight for local control and do what it takes to allow parents and teachers to control the educational future of our students.

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  18. Ryan Gatti is just a good guy. Smart, works hard and will fight for us.

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  19. As a mother to a special needs child, I can attest to the local difficulties we face on an everyday basis, especially in the school system. To know that someone, Ryan Gatti, not only relates to parents with children such as mine, but has made a stand for positive changes to aid those children? Yes. A thousand times--yes. He is the first candidate running for any office, at least to my memory, who has breached this sensitive subject. For that and everything else for which he stands, he'll have my vote. #ryangatti4senator

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    1. My son has Asperger's, and I couldn't agree more. Louisiana education needs a heart transplant. Mr. Gatti's the only candidate who's taken a firm enough stand to make that happen.

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    2. My daughter is a spastic quadriplegic from a brain injury she suffered at birth. Caring for a special needs child is difficult and rewarding. I will work diligently to shorten the long waiting list and work hard to dissolve the red tape that keeps so many families from receiving the help that is out there. If you need any help, then please contact my cell number 560-6587. Text me if you get my voicemail and I will do all I can to help. May God bless you and your sweet child.

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  20. Henry is a really nice man. He is honest and has served us well as State Representative. More than likely, I will vote for him.

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  21. Ryan Gatti will bring fresh ideas and a new perspective to Baton Rouge. He will make the tough decisions. Ryan Gatti will do what's right for the people in District 36.

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  22. In this race...Ryan Gatti is the ONLY choice! He is a great man and the best one to represent our area!

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  23. Ryan will be a strong, conservative voice and a leader we can depend on. He will make the tough decisions for Northwest Louisiana and our state!

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  24. Just heard Ryan on the radio. I am very impressed with his plan to turn this state around, starting with the budget and our school system. Ryan has my vote!!

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  25. I, too, heard Ryan on the radio and thought he sounded not only positive and intelligent about the major issues at hand, but also like a man to whom the average person can relate. He's got my vote.

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  26. Gatti's FB page is full of issues he has discussed. Glad he's not afraid to talk about issues and take a stand- have you seen his commercials-- good FB page.

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  27. Gatti is the only man for the job! He is intelligent,energetic, and has new ideas. He is a great problem solver. He's what this state needs!

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  28. I am a teacher, and Henry Burns has been cooperative with me in the past. But Ryan Gatti and I see eye to eye, and he stays in touch with me. I don't even have to reach out to him because he is on top of everything in education, and he gets in touch with me (which never happens with a politician). We both think the same things need to be done in education for our state, so I think he is the best choice for Louisiana.

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  29. I'm voting for Henry Burns. He's been representing us for years, is a sweet guy and a real republican. If Bobby Jindal trusts him so do I

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  30. What education does Burns have and what education does Gatti have?

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  31. Funny how the morons want to emphasize education in the Clerk's race but ignore it in the Senate race !!!

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  32. Anon 9:19
    Your comment is needed on another page don't bring that childish crap to this blog and yes we know who you are. Best thing Gatti can do is get rid of you so her can win this thing.

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  33. What we need in the legislature is someone who is willing to go make the tough calls and not be afraid to lose the next election. The next legislature will have a financial disaster created by politicians who have been kicking the can down the road for years. Everything needs to be on the table like:
    1. Closing universities (death by 1000 cuts - time to get rid of smaller universities and preserve the flagships - namely LSU and Louisiana Tech) - if you look from Caddo Parish to East Carroll Parish and count the number of universities and community colleges - you will get the drift - its all over the state;
    2. Getting rid of supplemental pay (nothing against law enforcement and first responders but 300 bucks a month to everyone of them is something we can no longer afford);
    3. Getting rid of tenure and civil service - these institutions breed inefficiency and allow bad teachers and civil servants to stay on the payroll and bog us all down - got to get rid of state workers and privatize low income government jobs - a public employee making 10 dollars an hour costs the public well over 25 dollars an hour when you factor in the benefits and legacy costs - surely we can hire private contractors to cut the grass, clean the restrooms, and fix the pot holes;
    4. Get rid of defined benefit plans - time for government workers to use 401K plans (403b is what they are called in the public service) like the rest of America;
    5. Get rid of municipalities and go with Parish wide governments (in Bossier - we have 4 mayors - 4 chiefs of police - 4 separate fire chiefs (along with the rural fire districts with another 8 chiefs and assistant chiefs and dollar devouring bureaucracy - its worse in Webster - there are 6 cities with the same overlap).
    There are a thousand needed solutions if we could get people with courage to go down there and make them. But dont forget what de Tocqueville said about America - it applies to Louisiana as well - "The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money."

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  34. Ryan Gatti will stand up for the people of his district. He has already faced tough issues of importance in many rural areas and will continue to do so as a senator. I'm with Ryan!

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  35. Henry Burns for State Senate 36


    .
    Just announced.... The Republican Party of Louisiana has endorsed Henry Burns for State Senate District 36.
    ‪#‎peoplenotpolitics‬
    ‪#‎LAGOP‬

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  36. The are also firmly behind Bobby Jindal - man - he has done a great job with Louisiana and Mr. Burns was right there as his "yes" man. A vote for Burns is a vote for continuing the Jindal nightmare.

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  37. Henry burns is the man for the job.

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  38. Burns was featured a few years back on the news for not supporting Bossier Parish teacher raises....At that time, the teachers' pay had not been increased in 7 years....

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