East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court Judge Luke Lavergne made history recently when he switched his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican, becoming the first black elected official in Louisiana to switch to the Republican Party while in office.
Republican officials say Lavergne’s switch is the result of an increasing effort to bridge the traditional gap between minorities — especially blacks — and the Republican Party.
According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Web site, among the 839,260 black registered voters in the state, the vast majority — 678,355 — are registered as Democrats.
Lavergne said his switch was prompted by a leftward trend within the Democratic Party in recent years.
“The Republican Party’s core philosophy and values are more in line with mine,” he said. “They believe in the sanctity of the family, patriotism and God. That is what this country was founded upon. I’ve decided to make the move back to the party of my ancestors.”
Lavergne brought his message to the University’s College Republican Alliance on Wednesday night.
Colorado Robertson, CRA president, said Lavergne was well-received by the 75 people at the meeting. Robertson said Lavergne was energetic and enforced the message that the Republican Party is not a “big, bad party,” but one that cares about people and wants to work with all people, including minorities.
Despite his enthusiasm about bridging the gap between minorities and Republicans, Lavergne said he has received mixed reactions since switching parties in early January.
“Some say they applaud me for the brave stance that I took, and some elected officials and family members are upset,” he said.
But Ryan Berni, president of the University’s College Democrats, said Lavergne’s switch is not as significant as some claim.
“It’s significant that he is the first African-American to change parties, but he’s a Family Court judge. He’s not up for re-election and hasn’t been a leader in the Democratic Party,” Berni said.
Andrew Koneschusky, communications director for the Louisiana Democratic Party, said Lavergne’s change was “just one man’s position, and it’s not an overall trend.”
But others see the party switch as a sign of things to come.
“People are realizing that their social beliefs and moral issues are more in line with the Republican Party,” Robertson said. “You’ll see a lot more of it in the months and years to come.”
Landon Allen, minority outreach director for the Louisiana Republican Party, said that within a year he has recruited more than 100 black voters in the state to register as Republicans.
“Many feel that the Republican Party is not receptive to them, but it is,” Allen said.
Allen said he hopes Lavergne will influence blacks in the state to become more aware of Republican values.
“I am overwhelmed that he chose the Republican Party,” Allen said. “He will be a tremendous asset.”