Rep. Smith, Patricia Haynes (D)
District# 67, Baton Rouge

• District # 67: House District 1
• Party: Democrat
• Caucus Membership:Democratic Caucus, Vice Chair
  Capital Region Legislative Delegation
  Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus
  Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus
• Occupation: Retired - Exxon Mobil Public Affairs
• Education:Glenville High School, Cleveland Ohio; Kent State University, B.S. Education; Youngstown State, Youngstown, Ohio and Louisiana State University, post graduate work
• Spouse: Freddie
• Year Elected: 2007
• Last Year Eligible(Term Limit): 2020
• 2007 Election
  Smith won a hotly contested race against Metro Councilwoman Lorri Burgess, defeating her in the runoff with 55% of the vote.
  

• Louisiana Map
• District Map
• Metro Map
• Economic: District 67 encompasses the central business district of Baton Rouge, encompassing everything from banking to state and local government. The district is also home to the LSU campus, a major economic factor in the city as a whole. Another force for the area is gaming. Two casino boats are located on the Mississippi River, one across from the state Capitol and another down River Road near the new Mississippi River Bridge. The residential areas are to the south of downtown, and they house workers at nearby industrial plants and nonprofessional government employees (many of them associated with LSU). A new marketability has emerged in the downtown area, bringing with it residential lofts, restaurants, hotels, museums and clubs. Real estate developers and businesses, especially, are investing highly in the area.
• Social: Minority residents range in income from very poor to comfortably middle class. The city’s two oldest neighborhoods, Spanish Town and Beauregard Town, are located here, and they have attracted some younger white residents who renovate the historic homes and buildings.
• Political: The minority population here has decreased over the past four years by 2% but it is still overwhelmingly Democratic. There is a long history of political activity in these south Baton Rouge neighborhoods, and many of the city’s black leaders have emerged from this area. Only Democratic candidates were able to carry this district in 2007.

• Democrat Patricia Haynes Smith is a rookie in the state Legislature, but does arrive with some political chops. A former school board member, Smith has been an important defensive player on reform issues opposed by the Louisiana School Board Association. Smith is also studying whether public school boards could benefit from the addition of student membership. As such, expect her to emerge early and often as a vocal player on issues related to public schools in Louisiana. Accountability will surely be one of her buzz words while in office.
• Smith received a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and picked up post-graduate work at Youngstown State. In addition to being a former EBRP public school teacher, Smith is currently employed as coordinator for the LSU Community University Partnership program, which does outreach work in the Old South Baton Rouge area. In December, 2003, she retired after 22 years, from ExxonMobil.
• Her campaign platform promised to address job training and healthcare services. Crime and poverty will also play central roles in her policy agendas.
• Smith is married to Freddie Smith and is a caregiver for her 93-year-old mother. She has six children and nine grandchildren.