Tea Party support in Louisiana is brewing, according to a recent report from the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights. Data shows the state is home to 5,959 active Tea Party members, making it the 36th largest state for Tea Partiers per capita in the nation.
The report, published Jan. 21, also revealed Baton Rouge is home to 456 Tea Party members, with the geographical region of the south containing 41.32 percent of the organization’s affiliates.
James Garand, political science professor, said he was surprised by the results of the study, as he expected Louisiana to have a greater Tea Party presence.
Garand attributed the majority of Tea Partiers residing in the south to the region’s “general conservatism” and “streak of libertarianism.”
Glen Taylor, political science senior, said he is pleased by the results of the study, though he said Tea Party groups in Louisiana aren’t as organized as they should be.
“The people of Louisiana exemplify the ideals of the Tea Party,” Taylor said.
Taylor is one of three students on campus working to establish a Tea Party student group at the University. Though he said he recognizes many people have “misconceived notions” about the Tea Party, Taylor is adamant about upholding the Tea Party ideals.
“We’re tired of Republicans doing the same politics that have been failing,” Taylor said.
Taylor’s proposal for a University Tea Party group has received mixed reactions from students.
“I think it’s cool to see students organizing something like that,” said Bryce Lombard, business freshman.
Zoe Booth, public relations junior, is not as excited about Taylor’s plans, calling the idea of a Tea Party group on campus “idiotic.”
“I can see them trying to attract people who may not know much about it,” Booth said. “The last thing I want is for this to grow and become a huge thing on campus.”
Regardless of the future of the University’s Tea Party organization, Garand said he doesn’t think the national movement will dissolve any time soon.
“The Tea Party represents a set of values that a large minority of Americas hold,” Garand said. “It’s going to continue to be with us and continue to be a force.”
“The Tea Party represents a set of values that a large minority of Americans hold.”