Randal Gaines

Randal Gaines
Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 13, 2024
Preceded byKatie Bernhardt
Personal details
Born (1955-11-07) November 7, 1955 (age 68)
LaPlace, Louisiana, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationSouthern University (BA, JD)

Randal Gaines is an American politician from the state of Louisiana. He served in the Louisiana House of Representatives and is a member of the Democratic Party.[1]

Gaines is an attorney from LaPlace, Louisiana. He served in the United States Army for three years and in the Louisiana National Guard for 25 years, including in Operation Desert Storm and Hurricane Katrina. He became a lieutenant colonel. He has also worked as a tax attorney for the Internal Revenue Service, an assistant city attorney for the New Orleans, and an associate professor and director of the Criminal Justice Department at Southern University.[2] Governor Bobby Jindal appointed Gaines to Southern University's board of supervisors in 2009.[3]

In 2007, Gaines ran for the 57th district seat in the Louisiana House,[4] but lost the election to Nickie Monica. He ran again and was elected to the Louisiana House in 2011.[5] He was unopposed for reelection in 2015 and 2019, when his only challenger was disqualified from running.[6] Gaines could not run for reelection in 2023 due to term limits.[7]

On April 13, 2024, Gaines won election as the chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party, defeating incumbent Katie Bernhardt.[8]

  1. ^ "Randal Gaines defeats Katie Bernhardt to become new chair of Louisiana Democratic Party". AP News. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  2. ^ Times-Picayune, Jennifer Boquet, NOLA com | The (17 June 2011). "Randal Gaines seeks 57th District seat in House of Representatives". NOLA.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Gaines named to Southern's Board". L'Observateur. February 18, 2009.
  4. ^ Times-Picayune, Dan Shea, The (5 October 2007). "House election draws six hopefuls". NOLA.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Bacon-Blood, Littice (20 November 2011). "Randal Gaines of LaPlace wins 57th District seat in Louisiana House". NOLA.com.
  6. ^ writer, RAMON ANTONIO VARGAS | Staff (22 August 2019). "Randal Gaines to keep House District 57 seat after judge tosses lone challenger". NOLA.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Rep. Randall Gaines announces candidacy for Louisiana Democrats chair • Louisiana Illuminator". 12 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Randal Gaines defeats Katie Bernhardt to become new chair of Louisiana Democratic Party". 13 April 2024.