Rep. Fannin, James R.

House Member

Rep. Fannin, James R. (D)
District# 13, Jonesboro

Contact Information

District Office
Legislative Assistant : Jacqueline Adams
Email James R.Fannin
Phone: (318)259-6620
Fax: (318)259-6645
Address: 320 6th Street
Jonesboro, LA 71251
Map
Capitol House Switch Band: (225) 342-6945
Capitol House Fax: (225)342-8336

Profile

- District #: House District 1
- Party: Democrat
- Caucus Membership: Democratic Caucus, Louisiana Rural Caucus
- Occupation: Independent businessman
- Education: B.S., Agriculture Education
- Spouse: Kitty
- Year Elected: 2003
- Last Year Eligible(Term Limit): 2016
- 2007 Election
  This is Fannin’s second regular election cycle, after originally coming to office in 2003 through a Special Election to replace Rodney Alexander. Though Fannin faced competition from Jason Cook, a teacher in Ouachita Parish, Fannin will retain his seat.

District Profile

Registered Voters by Parish: Bienville 27.7%, Jackson 37.7%, Ouachita 22.9%, Winn 11.7%
Municipalities/Communities Represented: Arcadia, Bienville, Bryceland, Calvin, Castor, Chatham, Dodson, East Hodge, Eros, Hodge, Jamestown, Jonnesboro, Lucky, Mount Lebanon, North Hodge, Quitman, Ringgold, Saline, Sikes
- Louisiana Map
- District Map
- Metro Map
Economic: Located in north, central Louisiana, House District 13 contains all of Jackson Parish and portions of Bienville, Winn, and Ouachita parishes. The highly productive forests that cover much of this area are the major economic influence. Residents make their living cutting and hauling timber to one of the processing plants located in the area. Among the timber-related employers are Smurfit-Stone Container plants in Hodge and Arcadia, and Weyerhauser and Jeld-Wen in Winn Parish. The cattle and a growing poultry industry are important, as well as increasing oil and gas activity. Many residents commute to government-related jobs in Lincoln Parish or to white- and blue-collar jobs in Monroe and West Monroe. In addition, a new prison in Jackson Parish with capacity for 600 is bringing more jobs into the district.

Social: The district is typical of the so-called uplands areas of north Louisiana, with a mix of small farmers, working-class residents and small-town dwellers. Few residents approach affluence, and pockets of poverty and under-employment are found throughout the district.

Political: Once the stronghold of Louisiana populism, this area has recently become more conservative. However, with a significant number of African-American voters and a union presence at one of the paper mills, Democrats still have influence. Voters in this area are conservative on social and tax-related issues, especially gaming.

Biography

- Jim Fannin, a cattleman/agribusinessman, was first elected to the state house in 2003, after serving on the Jackson Parish School Board and Police Jury. Economic development, education, transportation and health care are of concern to Fannin. Fannin believes it is essential to improve economic development efforts in order to provide needed services. Fannin’s first priority is to maintain jobs in Louisiana. Central to this, is Fannin’s belief in a strong vo-tech program that will provide practical training to Louisiana’s high school students and expand its job force. Fannin plans to initiate cooperation between high schools, vo-tech schools and community colleges so Louisiana can train the majority of high school students who do not go to college. Also, Fannin sees the upgrading of U.S. Hwy. 167 as central to the improvement of infrastructure in the district. Finding funding to improve Louisiana’s roads is a priority for Fannin. In addition Fannin is an advocate for value-added forestry industries that would utilize the natural resources of the area.
- Fannin began his second term as the Chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.