Southern grads vie for offices

 
Southern University graduates are among the contenders in Louisiana state and local elections.
Candidates felt that their Southern University education prepared them for the political race ahead.
Dewayne Bailey, 1989 mass communication and broadcasting graduate is in the race for U.S. Representative 2^nd congressional district said he had ‘great’ experiences at Southern.
“The mass communication department prepared me to do a lot of public speaking and speak on radio,” Bailey said.
He said the communication skills he learned let him become involved around the state so he his deeply indebted to Southern University.
Hazel Bradley, East Baton Rouge Parish educator and councilman Metro district 7 candidate said her Southern education was essential with socio-economic background.
“Being from an impoverished area, education was important in my household,” Bradley said.
She said professors urged her to become active in her community while attending school paired with the history of her grandmother led to her political activity.
Bailey has his sights set to look for new ways to ‘stabilize’ the university.
“I bleed blue and gold so I would definitely look into raising funds and resources to stabilize the university,” Bailey said.
During Bailey’s attendance at Southern, there were 10 thousand students enrolled. Donaldsonville native hopes to increase recruitment efforts at home.
“Push to recruit students in that area,” Bailey said.
Bailey revealed past recruitment efforts along with executive director of the SU system foundation Ernie Hughes.
“We held a recruitment night in Donaldsonville at our church,” Bailey said.
 He mentioned the financial aid assistance was provided as well as enrolling at Southern University at the recruitment event.
Despite running for different positions candidates are firm on standing for the people.
“My concern is the high crime rate in my district,” Bradley said.  She said she will work with Baton RougeArea Violence Elimination otherwise known as BRAVE and other police initiatives to fight crime.
High un-employment among youth as another issue Bradley says she wants to address if elected.
“There are no jobs in the area and no recreational activity for the youth,” Bradley said.
She said one solution to the problem is job training for the youth.
Bailey said his reasoning for running for U.S. Representative 2^nd Congressional District.
“I want to provide professional level, strong leadership for our district especially with the new changes,” Bailey said.
He said the merging pre-existing districts to create a new district line due to the decline of citizens in the state of Louisiana, leaving district 2 the only minority majority district in the state.
“It will be the only minority majority district,” Bailey mentioned.  He believes the district will need a leader who will give the power back to voters as well as give constituents opportunity and resources.
Jessica Pleasant, a senior, English major from Baton Rouge said she plans to vote in November.
“I will be voting for Judge Guidry for Associate Justice Supreme Court, 5^th Supreme Court District because I think he has a great platform and helps the youth,” Pleasant said.
She looks to vote for Mayor President Kip Holden as well because of his hard work and dedication to improving Baton Rouge.
Southern alum, democrat, Tiffany Foxworth is competing for City Court Judge in November’s election.