I want to take this opportunity to let the people of Senate District 31 know that I will not seek re-election in the fall of 2023. I am announcing this decision now because I believe it is the fair thing to do. There are many good, decent, and qualified persons who may wish to become a candidate for this office. They will need time to organize campaigns and yes, raise money for this effort. If I were to delay my announcement until after the regular session, which will be June of 2023, it would be far too late for candidates to have adequate time to prepare.

The end of this Senate term will mark “forty-four” years in public life. You allowed me to serve sixteen years with Natchitoches Parish Police Jury (now, the parish council), twenty-four years as Clerk of Court for Natchitoches Parish, and four years as your State Senator. There simply are no words to convey the gratitude I feel for having been given this opportunity. As a former Jaycee, I have always believed our creed, that “service to humanity is the best work of life.”

In the months ahead, we will continue to visit about the issues that concern each and every one of you. I will keep my promise to “listen” to your views on the wide range of problems our State faces, and will call you back!

While the next year and half will be busy attending to the needs of District 31, I do look forward to returning to my family, and especially my grandchildren. They keep asking “Papa, when are you coming home?” In the meantime, my heart is full for that which I have been given by the finest people in our entire State.

Sincerely,

Louie Bernard, Senator-District 31

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