From a cornfield in Opelousas to courtrooms along the East Coast, La. District 24 state Senator Elbert Guillory transformed from a 15-year-old Jim Crow South victim to a 71-year-old civil rights activist.
Now, the Republican septuagenarian holds a different dream for the near future — to win Louisiana’s lieutenant governor’s seat.
Guillory will face three contenders on the Oct. 24 ballot: Democratic East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden, Republican former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser and Republican Jefferson Parish President John Young.
Guillory distinguishes himself from his opponents as the eldest candidate and a Republican African-American.
He said his life experiences influenced his political affiliation and ideology. After working odd jobs throughout his youth as a cornfield laborer, yard boy and lifeguard, Guillory said he grew up when he was arrested at 15 for trying to check out a book from the public library.
“From that arrest to this day, it’s been one straight line involved in politics,” Guillory said.
Though his first encounter with the law was far from pleasant, Guillory said he was determined to experience the legal justice system from the other side of the podium.
After graduating high school at 16, he attended Southern University, where he served as the university’s youngest editor in chief of the school newspaper at 17. Following some controversial news publications, Guillory was expelled from the school.
He said he joined the Navy and finished his undergraduate studies while part of the military.
He obtained his law degree from Rutgers School of Law and made his first career as a professor there.
Guillory said he studied administrative law because he wanted to change the segregation policies that had been plaguing his native Louisiana for centuries.
“Government is not rocket science,” Guillory said. “It’s about making government work.”
Following a long career enforcing civil rights laws and managing different government agencies, Guillory joined the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2007 as a member of the 40th district. In 2009, he assumed office as a member of the Louisiana Senate from the 24th district, where he has been passing legislation for the past six years.
Guillory said his greatest accomplishments in the Senate position include strengthening the state’s retirement system and the re-entry system for state prisoners. He said he implemented counseling and education programs for incarcerated prisoners to set them on a career track after they are released.
Guillory said he decided to run for lieutenant governor because he thinks he can tackle the demanding responsibilities of the job.
“I’ve had a very successful career as a legislator,” Guillory said. “I need a louder voice and a bigger stick.”
If elected, he said creating jobs, reforming education and ensuring security would be his top priorities.
Upgrading the public school system is important, Guillory said, in addition to preparing today’s students for the workforce. He said he would cling to his Roman Catholic faith and the core values of the Republican Party when making policy decisions for the state.
Guillory said his deep commitment to Louisiana has driven him through the election process.
“I could sit on my back porch, go fishing or play with my grandchildren,” Guillory said. “I don’t need a job — I want to serve.”
Lt. governor candidate Elbert Guillory talks about his platform to an attendee on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, during the LWVision 2015 Reality Check Luncheon at Drusilla Place in Baton Rouge.
