Sen. Sherri Smith Cheek

Senate Member

Sen. Sherri Smith Cheek (R)
District# 38

Contact Information

District Office
Legislative Assistant : Nancy Bradford
Email Sherri Smith Cheek
Phone: (318) 687-4820
Fax: --
Address: 9973 Mansfield Road
Keithville, LA 71047
Map
Capitol House Switch Band: (225) 342-2076
Capitol House Fax: (225)342-0654

Profile

- District #: House District 0
- Party: Republican
- Caucus Membership: --
- Occupation: Family-Owned Rental Business
- Education: Southwood High School;
  LSU-Shreveport;
  Centenary College
- Spouse: Single
- Year Elected: 2004
- Last Year Eligible(Term Limit): 2016
- 2007 Election
  Cheek faced opposition from Shreveport attorney and fellow Republican Alan Seabaugh. Cheek won with fifty-seven percent of the vote.

District Profile

Registered Voters by Parish: Caddo 77.2%, DeSoto 22.8%
Municipalities/Communities Represented: Grand Cane, Greenwood, Keatchi,
Logansport, Longstreet, Mansfield, Shreveport, South Mansfield, Stanley,
Stonewall
- Louisiana Map
- District Map
- Metro Map
Economic: District 38 has enjoyed a 15percent rise in per capita income between 2000 and 2003. Median income has also risen. The district has a strong economy based on attracting many diverse and commercial entities choosing to locate within the district’s borders. The General Motors Assembly plant now employs almost 3,000 people. Among the other large employers are the Willis Knighton Health System, the Schumpert Health System, Lucent Technologies, Libby Glass, the parish school system, Harrah’s and Wal-Mart. District 38 has transitioned into a service economy with a very rapid growth in the gaming industry. Shreveport is Louisiana’s newest film production center which has provided a large economic boost. The Port of Shreveport-Bossier employs over 900 people and continues to grow. Desoto Parish is primarily rural, and the forestry business is very important here.

Social: The racial balance in District 38 is fairly mixed, though whites do outnumber African-Americans. The district is noted for a very active nightlife and the home of many festivals. There are 194 schools in Shreveport alone, including two highly rated magnet systems.

Political: 70% of the registered voters are white and 50% are registered as Democrats, many of which live in DeSoto Parish. Conservative white voters make District 38 a Republican stronghold.

Biography

- Entering her second term, Sherri Smith Cheek has said that the first of her top three priorities is to keep building North Louisiana’s “transportation hub” by completing I-49 north to Arkansas. This depends on federal and state appropriations. Second is developing a skilled workforce and focusing on retaining Louisiana businesses as well as recruiting new ones. She intends to target tax incentives for existing businesses and to see that they are in the front of the line when tax breaks and incentives are being handed out. She is currently working with local film production companies to develop an industry specific training program.
- Her third priority is to work for viable solutions to the state’s healthcare and insurance crisis. She said that the LSU Healthcare System in Shreveport needs funding so that the LSUHSC in District 38 can spend the $40 million needed by reinvesting into medical equipment and infrastructure to better serve the patients and to train the students. She strongly supports restoring the pre-Stelly tax brackets.
- In the new term, Sen. Cheek serves as the vice chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.