Aimee Freeman
Aimee Adatto Freeman says she is running to represent District 98 residents because she is tired of Louisiana being 50th in everything.
Freeman says she is the person to represent District 98 because she is honest, and straightforward; and even when there is disagreement, she believes she can work effectively with others.
If elected, Freeman’s would author and/or support legislation to increase funding for early childhood education, infrastructure and , public safety, she says, adding that she also wants to focus on lowering car insurance rates in the state and upgrading the city’s transportation and drainage systems.
She is in favor of local control for setting the minimum wage, which she believes should be at least $9-$10 per hour. She also supports a cap on property taxes because people feel that they’re being priced out of their homes.
Regarding charter schools, Freeman says there are problems with corruption in that system and that there is a need for additional oversight.
Freeman founded the Maple Area Quality of Life Association to bring residents, businesses, universities, and law enforcement together to tackle neighborhood issues. She is a business owner, an adviser to the Bureau of Governmental Research and an adjunct professor at Tulane University.
Marion “Penny” Freistadt
Dr. Marion “Penny” Freistadt is running for District 98 to help solve the climate crisis while bringing social justice to communities, which have been historically marginalized, she says.
If elected to serve, Freistadt says she will call for a statewide climate emergency and call for the governor and the Legislature to declare a moratorium on new fossil-fuel related projects, petrochemical plants; including hydrocarbon plants, plastic plants, pipelines. Freistadt will work with other lawmakers to author legislation that leads to Louisiana becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
Freistadt’s “Green Legislative Initiative” includes the expansion of the Louisiana Sovereign Wealth Fund and returning part of the oil and gas profits to Louisiana citizens harmed by the petrochemical industry, reinstatement of the state solar tax credit, securing funding for a high speed rail system that travels from Baton Rouge to New Orleans and the Lake Pontchartrain corridors, a ban on single-use plastic bottles and bags, and strengthening and enforcing EPA and LDEQ regulations.
Freistadt also vows to support pro-reproductive rights legislation, oppose any death penalty legislation, and she is in favor of repealing Act 91 that took local control away from the Orleans Parish School Board.
A retired research microbiologist and a climate activist, Freistadt has earned an MBA and doctoral degree. She is a member of Justice and Beyond Coalition, 350 New Orleans, Coalition Against Death Alley (Cancer Alley), Extinction Rebellion, and the New Orleans Interfaith Climate Coalition.
Max Hayden Chiz
Max Hayden Chiz says his research background makes him the person to serve the people of District 98.
His priorities for District 98 include addressing climate changes, street flooding, education, infrastructure, and economic development.
If elected, he will work to secure funding to upgrade New Orleans aging drainage and flood control system and to address city flooding, he says.
His economic development plan would involve pushing for repeal of the state preemption that prohibits municipalities in Louisiana from setting their own minimum wages, and he will work with the city and state to bring high quality jobs and ease regulations to help small business owners.
Chiz says higher wages and job training programs will help combat crime. He also supports funding for mental health and drug rehab treatments for non-violent offenders, instead of incarceration.
Chiz earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Kettering University. He earned his MBA and law degree graduated from Tulane University. He is currently the president of the International Academy for Fencing Education, a 501(c)3 that works to ensure that nobody’s love of fencing is limited by income and that everyone has an opportunity to travel the world and represent the United States.
Kea Sherman
Kea Sherman’s priorities for District 98 includes authoring legislation for the expansion of affordable early childhood education for working families, securing funding for investments in technology, biotech, the film and entertainment industries, legislating a ban on discriminatory practices by auto insurers against women and low-income people, and enacting legislation to ensure equal pay for equal work for women.
Infrastructure is also a major concern for Sherman, who says that if elected she would work to increase funding to fix the Sewerage and Water Board
Sherman is an attorney and the founder of the Sherman Law Firm. She is also the co-founder of Emerge Louisiana and Les Femmes PAC, which champion women’s rights and encourages women to run for public office.
She served on the finance committee for Educare New Orleans and served on the Board of Directors for several organizations, including Kingsley House, Dress for Success New Orleans, and Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans.
She was appointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards to serve on the Louisiana Environmental Education Commission and she currently sits on the Board of Governors of the Louisiana Association for Justice.
Evan J. Bergeron
Evan J. Bergeron, a graduate of Loyola University College of Law, says it’s time that District 98 voters elect a true progressive who isn’t afraid to fight against the regressive policies of Baton Rouge and put families, communities, and businesses first. If elected, he would be the first openly gay member of the Louisiana Legislature.
Bergeron says he will fight against voter suppression and for a fair redistricting process.
He also vows to continue the work Mayor Cantrell started by dedicating more tax revenues to drainage, roads, bridges, and levees; and he vows to fight to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, work to fully fund schools and raise teacher pay.
Bergeron also supports universal background checks for gun buyers, an assault weapons ban, and red flag laws that would take guns away from dangerous people.
He says his seven years of work with former state Sen. Dudley Gautreaux has prepared him for the policy research, procedural maneuvers, working with stakeholders, and drafting legislation necessary to effect change. He has spent sixteen years working in and around the Louisiana Legislature.
Bergeron serves as chairman of the Legislation Review Committee of the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners and is also an adjunct professor at the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.
