Sen. David R. Heitmeier (D)
District# 7,

• District # 7: House District 0
• Party: Democrat
• Caucus Membership: --
• Occupation: Doctor of Optometry, Heitmeier & Armani, Surgical Eye Care Center
• Education: Holy Cross High School; B.S., University of Southwestern Louisiana; Doctor of Optometry, University of Houston
• Spouse: Cathy
• Year Elected: 2008
• Last Year Eligible(Term Limit): 2020
• 2007 Election
  Heitmeier, a Democrat, nearly won in the primary against Republican Paul Richard and fellow Democrat Jonathan Bolar. He garnered 63% in the runoff with Richard.
  

• Louisiana Map
• District Map
• Metro Map
• Economic: District 7 includes portions of Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes on the west bank of the Mississippi River. It includes Algiers in Orleans Parish, parts of Gretna, Terrytown and Harvey in Jefferson and Belle Chase Plaquemine. Most residents commute across the river to work in New Orleans.
• Several companies that provide manufacturing support for the oil field industry are located along the Harvey Canal. Harvey Gulf is diversifying into a full-service marine transportation provider, including four 200-ft ultra-high capacity platform supply vessels.
• Social: The district is diverse. Constituents range from those living in up-scale English Turn and the Garden Park section of Gretna to residents of one of New Orleans’ largest public housing projects.
• Political: Racially, the district is 50% African-American and 40% white. It was created in 1991 to be a “majority-minority” district. The voters are conservative with almost 60% voting Democratic in 2004.

• David Heitmeier, a practicing optometrist, resumes his service for Senate District 7. He is dedicated to resolving the healthcare crisis and recognizes the expansion in access to primary care as a key element in realizing the best utilization of the present system. He intends to work to increase the number of federally qualified healthcare centers.
• Heitmeier has almost organically gravitated to consumer issues during his short time in the Senate. For example, he’s filed bills to protect gasoline consumers from unreasonable spikes during hurricane season. He also has a keen eye for health care issues and is constantly on the lookout to generate more money community health care services. Heitmeier is likewise an advocate for programs that provide free eye care to local communities in his district. As a member of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee, he will play a key role in the upcoming redistricting process, especially as New Orleans adjusts to recent population changes.
• Look for Heitmeier to support legislation which increases the exporting of goods and services and/or reduces the importing of goods and services. He intends to work for legislation that will advance improvements to transportation infrastructure, the creation of industrial parks, targeted loans programs for businesses, international promotional programs and workforce development through worker vocational training.
  
  Heitmeier hopes to improve tomorrow’s workforce by supporting schools so that they will produce well-educated, job-ready leaders. He supports local and state education reform efforts and will work to demand accountability at all levels. Heitmeier supported the Blueprint Louisiana ethics reform agenda.
• He is a strong advocate for law enforcement and will work to ensure that police departments are adequately funded, equipped and trained. He believes that long-term solutions will require attention to social and educational issues, but in the short term he respects the role of law enforcement in keeping communities safe. Heitmeier begins his first term in the Senate as Vice Chair of the Judiciary B Committee.