University political science Ph.D. student Norman Clark announced Wednesday that he is running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District.
Clark worked in law enforcement with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office for 13 years, and is a disabled Navy veteran. He received his master’s degree in public administration with a concentration on public policy from the University in 2011.
Clark identifies as a Republican with independent views on certain issues. Some of these views include legalizing gay civil unions with the same strength of a marriage, legalizing marijuana with government taxation and regulations to ensure that there are no additives and commercially sell it so there can be a tax on it, and rehabilitation and education in jails, Clark said in an email.
He listed some focus issues from his platform on his campaign Facebook page “Norman ‘Norm’ Clark,” which include focusing on domestic issues before foreign affairs, achieving energy independence, ensuring veterans get benefits and eliminating economic stimuli or bailouts.
He decided to run for office during the government shutdown. The shutdown and lack of compromise “really struck a nerve,” Clark said.
“During every budget crisis, veterans are threatened that their benefits are going to be cut. These men and women who gave years of their life to defend our country, they deserve better than to be used as political pawns,” Clark said in a press release.
“I believe in helping our own people first and then send the rest of our aid overseas,” Clark said. He called this idea “America First.”
Congress needs to keep in mind that their decisions are for the people, Clark said. Clark added that the pork-barrel spending needs to end.
He is planning on meeting with some of his fellow Ph.D. students this week to talk about the campaign. Clark said he hopes his website will be up by the end of the week.
Clark explained that this campaign will be a grassroots campaign.
“I’m not a wealthy man,” he said.
Having a University student run for U.S. Congress can bring a lot of pride to the school, Clark said.
“It reflects good upon all of us,” he said.
Clark is encouraging other LSU students to participate in his campaign. If University students are interested in getting involved, Clark said anyone can contact him at [email protected].