As the race for Louisiana State Senate District 14 enters its final days, candidate Quentin Anthony Anderson met with the LSU College Democrats to outline his platform and address issues affecting both students and Louisiana more broadly.
Anderson, a seasoned political activist, drew from his experience working on past campaigns, including Barack Obama’s presidential runs, to outline his vision for change. The discussion covered topics ranging from raising the minimum wage and protecting workers’ rights to addressing crime, infrastructure and the impact of AI on jobs.
“I think politics can be better, and I am trying to prove that,” Anderson said. “I don’t think that I’m special, but I think that what I represent could be special … They know that if I win, there are going to be a whole bunch of people just like me coming behind me.”
The visit by Anderson isn’t the first time College Democrats have brought a candidate to campus, having hosted former Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson during his run for governor in 2023. Chemical engineering senior and College Democrats Vice President Hamood Qureshi explained how important Anderson’s visit was to the organization, especially in making students more civically engaged.
“The fact that he is here in the first place means a lot to us but it also shows the type of person that he is, that he is willing to come and meet voters,” Qureshi said. “He really stands for a lot of the things I believe in and a lot of the things the people in the College Democrats believe in.”
A major concern Anderson addressed during the meeting was the rising cost of insurance in Louisiana. He pointed out that increasing climate risks, particularly flooding, have driven up deductibles, making coverage inaccessible for many. Anderson proposed investing in improved infrastructure to mitigate these risks and ease the financial burden on residents.
Crime and public safety were also key topics. Anderson noted that while no one wants to live in a high-crime area, Democratic leaders often represent communities disproportionately affected by crime. He stressed the urgency of tackling crime to ensure broader stability, advocating for evidence-based solutions that balance public safety with social investment.
“Nobody wants to live in a crime-ridden area,” Anderson said. “A lot of people who are consuming Fox News don’t live anywhere near where homicides are happening, but they are absolutely convinced that it’s right around the corner. The urgency is not only in trying to reduce crime, but it is also in trying to protect the victims.”
AI and its implications for the workforce were another major concern, with Anderson warning AI could displace jobs if proper worker protections are not implemented. He stressed the need for proactive policies to safeguard employment while equipping future generations with the skills to thrive in an AI-driven economy.
Raising the minimum wage was a top legislative point of discussion for Anderson. Acknowledging the challenges of passing such a measure in the current political climate, he vowed to introduce a bill to increase wages and hold lawmakers accountable for their votes. He criticized members of his own party who oppose wage increases, arguing that protecting workers should be a fundamental Democratic value.
“One of the first things – if not the first thing – I’ll do is introduce a bill to raise the minimum wage,” Anderson said. “It will almost certainly fail. I am going to ask all of you to hold all of those who vote against it accountable.
Education reform is another cornerstone of Anderson’s platform. He opposes taxpayer-funded school choice, arguing that charter schools undermine public education by diverting resources. Instead, he advocates for stronger investments in public schools to ensure equitable education for all students.
Transportation infrastructure also took center stage. Anderson expressed his vision for a Baton Rouge where residents do not need cars to navigate the city, and proposed introducing light rail as a solution to improve mobility without increasing sales taxes.
“I want to see us bring light rail to Baton Rouge,” Anderson said. “I always say that I judge a city based on if there’s a quality public transit option between the airport and downtown. There is nothing here. But what I often tell people is that the funding mechanisms are going to be tough. So, we might have to get very creative with funding mechanisms for some of these things.”
On labor rights, Anderson called for repealing Louisiana’s right-to-work laws to empower unions and protect workers. He also discussed the necessity of regulating AI in industries like transportation to ensure human oversight remains integral to operations.
Anderson also took a firm stance on reproductive rights, asserting his support for a woman’s right to choose. He criticized pro-life advocates who fail to support children after birth and emphasized that reproductive decisions should be left to individuals rather than legislators.
“Most of the pro-life people I know, not all, but most pro-life people I know are better described as pro-birth because they rarely take that same energy in making sure that a woman brings that baby to term than they do for supporting the child,” Anderson said.
Addressing climate change, Anderson pushed for requiring industries to source a percentage of their energy from renewables. He proposed universal metering and an expansion of solar power to reduce energy costs and environmental impact.
Students in attendance responded with enthusiasm to Anderson’s visit.
“I think it’s refreshing to hear a candidate that doesn’t sound like the establishment or the machine. I think as Democrats, we need candidates who make people excited to be involved. I am hoping that if he wins, he can be a catalyst for change,” said Elai Levinson, a junior political science major.
In the final days of his campaign, Anderson’s strategy is simple: maximize outreach. His focus remains on knocking on doors, making calls and preparing for a potential runoff. He urged LSU students to research candidates thoroughly before voting, emphasizing that informed decision-making is crucial to meaningful change.
“I think that you should vote for me because I am actually trying to represent you,” Anderson said. “I don’t have any ulterior motives; nobody sent me here. I am not the candidate on behalf of this donor or that donor. I am doing it the way that I am doing it because it is important to you wholly and objectively.”

The Special Primary Election for State Senate District 14 is this Saturday, Feb. 15.