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District Office
Legislative Assistant : Niketa Avery
Email Juan LaFonta
Phone: (504)282-0265
Fax: (504)282-0821
Address: 6305 Elysian Fields Ave.
Suite 207A
New Orleans, LA 70122
Map
Capitol House Switch Band: (225) 342-6945
Capitol House Fax: (225)342-8336
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- District #: House District 1
- Party: Democrat
- Caucus Membership: Democratic Caucus, Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, Orleans Delegation
- Occupation: Attorney
- Education: Southern University Law School, J.D., 2000;
University of New Orleans, 1997;
Brother Martin High School, 1991 - Spouse: Single
- Year Elected: 2005
- Last Year Eligible(Term Limit): 2016
- 2007 Election
LaFonta won reelection to a second term during the most recent election cycle without opposition. As chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, he will be a high-profile player over the next term.
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Registered Voters by Parish: Orleans 100.0%
Municipalities/Communities Represented: New Orleans
Economic: District 96 is a primarily residential district that includes the neighborhoods of Faubourg, Marigny, Treme and Gentilly in New Orleans. Like much of Orleans Parish, there’s a constant struggle for new, higher-paying jobs. The most readily available employment is in small business or restaurants. Complicating matters further, the infamous London Avenue Canal breach flooded low-income neighborhoods in the district following the landfall of Hurricane Katrina. Recovery has been slow, as hundreds have yet to return.
Along the river in the Marigny District, which remained mostly dry, is an area that has been transformed into a laid-back, smaller spin-off of the French Quarter, mostly for locals who want some evening fun without the tourist crush.
Some of the homes are being restored for a few upscale residences or bed and breakfasts. But most residents aren’t so well off, earning their livings as laborers or in the tourism sector. Many residents of District 96 depend on state and federal help for survival, and jobs as teachers and principals are considered high paying for the majority of residents.
Social: Crime is a huge social issue here, and many residents voice concerns over poor public schools. Several public housing projects are located in or near District 96, including most of the Seventh Ward, once known as the “Home of the Creoles” in New Orleans folklore. As time marches on, many of the Creoles are passing on and a new, younger generation of both blacks and whites is setting up house.
Political: District 96 is socially liberal, solidly supporting issues such as gambling and video poker. Democratic candidates traditionally do well here, and the district, pre-Katrina, once held one of Louisiana’s largest concentrations of black voters. But voting rolls are now down roughly 30 percent and changes are possible, as evidenced by independent John Georges’ showing the 2007 governor’s race, when he carried the district with 48 percent.
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- Democratic attorney Juan A. LaFonta has become a comic relief of sorts in the lower chamber, always quick with a joke and ever faster with a smile.
- He came into his second legislative term with the same priorities he had when he started in 2005: to help his district recover from Hurricane Katrina, a seemingly never-ending task. Most recently, he has pushed for tax credits to cover increases in commercial and residential insurance premiums following Katrina and Rita, and another for new vehicles purchased because of the storm.
- LaFonta works to provide a voice for those often overlooked and has carried the banner on a number of social issues, like his work to bolster the Louisiana Commission on HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C. He’s also an influence-broker for his native New Orleans and is working with House education leaders to make sure that locals have a say in any process that might temporarily cease to operate or permanently close a school.
- LaFonta is a pro-labor lawmaker and rarely ever parallels the policy agendas of groups like LABI. He has filed legislation that prohibits the kind of debris roofers leave in their wake and, ironically enough, can be credited for expanding membership opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses with the many state programs for small businesses.
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