LaPolitics Report

In this week's archived episode of the LaPolitics Report podcast, we take a deep dive into the beating heart of any successful political infrastructure: fundraising, the mother’s milk of elections.

Recorded in May of 2017, this episode features Sally Nungesser of Nungesser Consulting.

She has raised money for a long list of politicians, including but not limited to former President George W. Bush, U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Congressman Clay Higgins and former New York Governor George Pataki.

If you're already a pro and want to hear best practices from other campaigns, or if you just need a brief overview of how professional fundraising works, this is the episode for you.

Nungesser leads a fascinating discussion on the importance of prospect lists, how fundraisers get paid, the worst mistakes candidates make when asking for cash, insight into internet donations and much more.

Nungesser opened her firm in 2006, roughly a decade after launching her political fundraising career on the campaign staff of late Gov. Mike Foster.

She has worked in national products marketing, as press secretary to late Gov. Dave Treen and as deputy secretary/chief of staff to the Louisiana Department of Insurance.​

This week's episode will also feature a quick look at the history and beauty of the Old State Capitol.

A fourth-time delegate to the Republican National Convention this week, state Rep. Mike Bayham is the guest for episode 67 of the LaPolitics Report podcast. While he's backing former President Donald Trump this go around, Bayham on three other occasions sought to back candidates who weren't the front-runners. "Oh, we got a lot of pressure," Bayham said, reflecting on various efforts for him and others to switch sides in previous conventions. This week, however, he and the rest of Louisiana's delegation will support Trump across the board. "Absolutely," he said when asked. Bayham also covered the basics for this week, from how delegates were selected to exactly how much money it costs to be part of a party convention. "It's completely out of pocket," he said. "They charge you for everything. It's extremely expensive." While Trump's nomination won't be a surprise, delegates are expected to vote on a new GOP platform, which includes tweaking long-held stances on a federal abortion ban and other issues. Bayham said he anticipated the changes while watching "Trump trying to shift a little bit off" of traditional GOP messaging on these topics. Plus, in our regular history segment, we hear the 1976 "Challenge" speech delivered by Ronald Reagan at that year's Republican National Convention. Bayham also turned an eye to local politics of yesteryear and shared his own memories of two late elected officials that defined his St. Bernard Parish, state Sen. Lynn Dean and Parish President Junior Rodriguez.

Will Congressman Garret Graves, who is not seeking re-election this fall, run for the Public Service Commission? That question gets answered on the new episode of the LaPolitics Report podcast.

During his interview, Graves said U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is urging him to reconsider running for the 6th Congressional District, but the incumbent said that move has already been ruled out — for now at least. So has a bid for Baton Rouge mayor-president, which Graves is being encouraged by donors to seek.

That leaves the PSC and the open seat created by Commissioner Craig Greene's own decision to not run for re-election.

While he hasn't yet made up his mind about the PSC district that looks similar to his current congressional district, Graves said he would make a final decision soon.

"At least folks aren't saying, 'Get the heck out of here,'" Graves said with a laugh, adding the job would be based in a "great district" he already calls home and he knows the issues.

"I do think I would be able to hit the ground running," said Graves. "I've done a lot of work with climate and energy issues."

Graves also discussed his first race for elected office against the late Gov. Edwin Washington Edwards, and revealed the meetings that led to his decision to not run against Gov. Jeff Landry last year.

You don't want to miss this episode.

Recorded in September 2016, this LaPolitics Report podcast features a sometimes comical conversation with USA Today Network of Louisiana reporter Greg Hilburn about politics and family. There have been many changes to journalism since Hilburn first started as a scribe, covering sports at times, and we discuss all of that as well. You definitely won't want to miss what he has to say about going through the adoption process for his twin daughters. Is social media changing journalism for the better? What was it like covering the 2015 gubernatorial election cycle? What did he learn about reporting from his father, a storied figure on his own? Hilburn answered all of these questions, plus much more! We also went back in time with an audio clip from the political comeback of late Gov. Edwin Edwards. You're sure to get a good laugh out of this one!

Recorded in November 2016, this interview with former Associated Press Capitol Bureau Chief Melinda Deslatte features a serious conversation about the evolution of political journalism in Louisiana and what the future might hold for her trade. Now with the Public Affairs Research Council, Deslatte dished up some keen insights on the legislative process, which wasn't surprising — due partly to term limits and largely to her skillset, Deslatte has quickly become one of the building's best sources of institutional knowledge. Plus, this episode takes a look back at former Gov. Kathleen Blanco and we hear some inspiring words from the woman herself.

Alfred "Butch" Speer, a member of the state Ethics Board and the former clerk of the House of Representatives, has survived constitutional conventions and more than one round of redistricting. He's also forgotten more about regular sessions than most of us will ever learn.

Recorded in February 2015, this episode features a terrific overview of how Speer landed one of the Legislature’s most high-profile gigs. Also in this episode are a set of practical tips for mastering the House process.

Plus, this episode kicks off with a job description for "Being Louisiana Governor," delivered by late Gov. Edwin Edwards.

This latest episode arrives in May 2024, the 10th anniversary of the passing of LaPolitics founder John Maginnis. In addition to writing a couple of valuable books on Louisiana politics, and creating the state's most popular trade publication for politicos, Maginnis produced a DVD set called "How to Get Elected." The guest for this episode, consultant Jason Hebert of the Political Firm, was among the voices used by Maginnis for that DVD set and he shares some memories from the project. Staying on theme, Hebert also gives his tips for how to get elected, from making the initial decision and raising money to being a candidate.

This is it! The very first episode of the LaPolitics Report podcast, featuring John Alario, one of only three American politicians to have served as both a House speaker and Senate president in the same state Legislature. Recorded in August 2016, Alario opened up about what he considered then to be his future in politics and his greatest regret at the Capitol. He also discussed the role of Donald Trump's politics in Louisiana and dished on the art of revenge.

Plus, enjoy our regular blast-from-the-past audio file profiling Edgar "Sonny" Mouton, who ran for governor in 1979. Mouton's bid fell short, but left behind some of the funniest oratory of the cycle — and the 1970s.

Recorded in October 2016 during season two of the LaPolitics Report podcast, this episode features Commissioner of Administration (and then-state House Speaker) Taylor Barras. He explained how he learned about politics in a grocery store, via the family business growing up, and told us what it was like using Huey Long's old desk. You'll even hear why Huey had special switches installed under that desk as well! In our usual time-capsule segment, we drop in on the House floor for the final night of the 1979 regular session. You'll love this audio! It includes Billy Tauzin's rendition of Edgar Allan Poe's most well-known work and Bubba Henry's imitation of Earl Long. Plus, join in for a quick review of a list of Louisiana's 10 most influential elections, as compiled by author Errol Laborde of New Orleans magazine.

Episode 64 features Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who focuses most of his interview on this year's proposed constitutional convention. He offers his take on the Senate's perceived opposition and answers a question about what role (if any) former President Donald Trump could play in a potential ratification vote. Landry also reflects on his earliest memories of politics in Acadiana and offers some concluding words on the challenges involved with public records laws — as he sees them.