On December 20, 2023, Winnfield’s Rotary Club was honored to host as its guest speaker newly-elected Louisiana State Senator for District 31, Alan Seabaugh, compliments of Rotarian of the day, Judge Keith Gates. District 31 cover Red River and Sabine parishes as well as parts of Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides and Winn Parishes, including Winnfield. 

Seabaugh is a partner in the law firm Seabaugh & Sepulvado with offices in Shreveport and Baton Rouge. He is married to the former Laura McLelland with whom he has four daughters. He is connected with Winnfield through his parents, Tommy Seabaugh and the former Shirley McLemore, who met while attending Winnfield Senior High School.

Mr. Seabaugh, a member of the Republican party, served in the Louisiana House of Representative from 2010 to his recent election to the state senate.

With Jeff Landry taking office as Governor of Louisiana, and a 2/3 majority of Republicans in both the Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate, as well as all elected state officials being Republicans, Seabaugh sees great opportunity for progress ahead. 

First priorities are redrawing districts in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Plans are underway to create a Crime Task Force to study reasons for and recommend solutions to the rising crime rate in Louisiana. He expects the legislature to also address the problems of rising insurance rates in Louisiana.

A most important focus will be reducing the size of state government and eliminating many of the excessive supervisory positions. Senator-elect Seabaugh pointed out that reducing existing appropriations is very hard but noted that Louisiana’s budget has doubled since Jon Bell Edwards took office as governor. Thus, reducing government spending is also a priority.

After Seabaugh answered audience questions, the meeting was adjourned with the club motto, “Service above self!”