“As a business owner, I am aware that we need to have a balance,” Christophe said. “As a mother and a grandmother, I am aware that the price of milk and water and gas have increased, yet there are many families that are struggling to make it on minimum wage. It’s unfair for these things to increase in price but not their wages.”
“Our region, the 5th congressional, cannot support a $15 an hour wage,” Davis said. “We are an agricultural region. Our infrastructure has to be developed. We need more jobs, more manufacturing and factory jobs. Our economy is a long way away from supporting a $15 an hour minimum wage. Right now, it would disrupt our economic system.”
“I agree it should be raised,” Guillory said. “I say it only because I am in the transportation business. We move household goods, and I’ve done this for 30 years. I’ve watched some of the rates go up on the shipping side, based on the cost to move the goods. I think we need to catch up. We don’t need to be ridiculous with it.”
Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate acquitted Trump on the charge of inciting an insurrection stemming from remarks he made at a rally on Jan. 6 that was later followed by a mob trespassing at the U.S. Capitol. Four people died that day.
When asked whether they would have voted to acquit or convict Trump, had they been serving in the House, the candidates offered a variety of answers.
“I would have voted to acquit,” Letlow said.
“I absolutely would have voted to convict,” Christophe said. “He is guilty as charged.”
“Talking about the former president won’t move us forward,” Davis said. “What’s been done has been done. Let’s stop the fighting between Democrats and Republicans.”
Without any hesitation, I not only would have voted ‘No,’ I would have voted, ‘Hell, no,’” Guillory said. “I don’t think the man should be responsible for other people’s actions.”
Candidates speaking with The Ouachita Citizen were either opposed or silent on whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. Recently, Biden’s administration withdrew from a lawsuit—begun under the Trump administration—seeking to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
“I need to research that further,” Christophe said.
Letlow, who previously ran track at ULM, opposed recent changes allowing transgender athletes to compete alongside women.
“I do not believe transgender athletes should participate in women’s sports,” Letlow said. “As a student athlete, I don’t believe that’s fair.”
Davis noted the matter was a “divisive” issue and said he could only speak about his position.
“God only made male and female,” Davis said. “He did not make transgender people. That’s my position. I have Christian views, though I do not impose those views on other people.”
Guillory characterized his objection to transgender athletes as a defense of women, not an objection to the larger LGBT movement.
“I think it’s totally unfair,” Guillory said. “Nothing against the transgender or LGBT communities, but I think it’s unfair for a young lady to do the best she can be, physically, and have to compete against a transgender person.”
Candidates also commented on Biden’s recent executive order halting construction of a border wall separating the United States and Mexico.
“I’m for the border wall,” Letlow said. “I think it’s an important part of protecting our borders.”
According to Christophe, finding money for people struggling with COVID-19 was a more pressing need than continuing the costly construction of a border wall.
Davis said he supported the construction of a border wall, with some exceptions.
“I support the plan Joe Biden has on the table for immigration,” Davis said. “A border wall cannot stop people from coming in legally. Our country was founded by immigrants. If we want to stop all immigrants from entering the country, we are no longer America.”
Guillory, who noted his work in the shipping industry included transporting part of the border wall to Arizona, supports the construction of Trump’s border wall.
“I am in 100 percent support of a border wall,” Guillory said. “Through my work in shipping, I’ve seen what happens at the border. I don’t have a problem with people coming into America, but they should come the right way.”
Other candidates in the race include Chad Conerly, a Republican from Kentwood; Robert Lansden, a Republican from Ponchatoula; Jayce Magnuson, a Republican from Opelousas; Horace Melton III, a Republican from Shreveport; Vinny Mendoza, a Republican from Shreveport; Richard Pannell, a Republican from Dry Prong; and Errol Victor Sr., a Republican from Slidell.
