LaPolitics Report

Ep. 88: The Speaker Speaks

House Speaker Phillip DeVillier is the guest on this episode of the LaPolitics Report Podcast. What are his political plans when this term ends? What's on tap for the 2027 regular session? More immediately, what's driving the ongoing regular session and could redistricting get in the way of the rest of the Legislature's agenda? Speaker DeVillier touches on these topics and much more. Plus, listen to a clip of late Speaker John Hainkel discussing the power dynamics between Louisiana governors and state lawmakers.

Ep. 87: Lynnel & Kyle Ruckert

The power couple of Lynnel and Kyle Ruckert are featured in this episode of the LaPolitics Report Podcast. Both are former chiefs of staff to high-ranking officials in Louisiana and Washington and are now sought-after consultants for campaigns and policy advocacy. They discuss their paths to success, how they met and what makes a relationship work in politics. Plus, we get into closed primary chatter, industry trends and much more. We also kick off this episode with a look back at the 1983 gubernatorial debate between Edwin Edwards and David Treen.

Ep. 86: Lobbyist Joe Mapes

Joe Mapes, the longtime lobbyist for Farm Bureau and many others, reflects on 50 years in government relations. Mapes shares his very first experience as a young man gathering votes for a tic sheet in 1976. And it didn’t go very well. Which state senator did he encounter? You’ll have to listen to find out. “He was a very disarming man,” Mapes said on the podcast. “He chewed me out, and I asked him if he was done. He screamed at me, ‘Why?’ And I said, ‘Because I still have to put your name down on this little piece of paper.’” Mapes also discusses the biggest changes to the lobbying game, why more folks than ever are registering and what the future might hold for partisan politics at the Capitol. Plus, we kick off this episode with a celebration of Louisiana's 214th birthday.

Ep. 85: Secretary of State Nancy Landry

Secretary of State Nancy Landry said in this episode she has decided to seek re-election next year — and hints at what might happen after one more term. Landry also discusses the new open primary system and how prepared election workers are for the change.

Ep. 84: Chief of Staff Julie Emerson

In the latest LaPolitics Report Podcast, you'll learn how former Ways and Means Chair Julie Emerson didn't get hired by Gov. Jeff Landry, back when he was in Congress 15 years ago, before finally being selected this year as his current chief of staff. Emerson also talks about campaign songs and believes Wayne Toups may be the artist to create one for her boss. Plus, she discusses the ongoing regular session, the governor's agenda leading up to his re-election bid and what a chief of staff actually does on a day-to-day basis.