Jonathan Perry was presented these 10 questions by the Meridional earlier in the week, and he E-mailed them back with answers.

The election for the Senate race is Feb. 19 and early voting began Saturday and will continue through next Saturday at the Courthouse in Abbeville.

Here is background information on Perry.

He is married to Christine LeBeouf, and they have four children: Molli (9), Meredith (9), Major (5) & Marlee (1)

Perry, who lives in Kaplan, graduated from Kaplan High School; Northeast Louisiana University and has a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. He graduated from Southern University Law School, Juris Doctorate.

The 38-year-old is a Republican.



Question 1: Convince the readers: Why should they vote for you as a state senator?

As a husband and father of four, I do not want to see our state move in the same direction that our country is heading. I am pro-life, pro-family, pro-business and pro-second amendment. In standing for family values, I have been appointed to serve on the Louisiana Commission on Family and Marriage and have humbly been awarded “Outstanding Family Advocate” three years in a row by the Louisiana Family Forum. Also, in 2009 I received the annual “Life and Liberty Award” for pro-family legislation. I am strongly committed to protecting life, and protecting our conservative Louisiana values. I voted against all fees, taxes and the legislative pay-raise as a State Representative.



Question 2: What is one of the first things you plan to tackle when you get to Baton Rouge as a state Senator?

Obviously one of the first things that we will be tackling this year in the special session is the extensive process of redistricting. Just as I have as a State Representative I will continue to look at what is best for the area I represent in the legislature, as well as what is beneficial for the state, as a whole. In addition to redistricting, the looming issue that will have to be addressed is how to reduce a 1.6 billion dollar deficit. My record shows that I have been fiscally responsible as a State Representative, and I will continue to make tough decisions for Louisiana as a State Senator.



Question 3. You are running for a Senate seat that is only going to be for nine months and then another election will have to be held for the four year term. If you lose in February, will you run again in October for the four-year term?

My family and I have decided that I will not run again for the State Senate full term if this race does not play out like we anticipate it will.



Question 4: How will your political background (Perry a state representative and Granger a police juror) help you in Baton Rouge?

We are facing a very important special session and will be addressing some very important issues this year. I am fortunate that I have experience and have learned valuable lessons as a State Representative to help guide my decisions in the Senate. I know how the process works, and I will fight, with the best of my ability, to make sure personal ambitions and special interests stay out of the decision-making process.



Question 5. Who are some of the endorsements that you have picked up recently?

Agricultural Commissioner - Mike Strain

Public Service Commissioner - Clyde Holloway

The Tea Party of Louisiana

Louisiana National Republican Committeewoman, Ruth Ulrich

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry



Question 6. How can you help the mom and pop business stay afloat if you are a Senator?

Senate District 26 is largely made up of small, mom and pop businesses. We need these small businesses to stay afloat for the overall economic stability of our area. As I have as a State Representative I will continue to fight to ensure that our small businesses keep more of what they earn, so they can reinvest and hire new workers. Also, I will lead the fight against any new taxes, fees or government regulations that will hurt these businesses.



Questions 7. What’s the state budget answer -- reduced spending or increased income?

If reduced spending, where; if increased income, how?

Without a doubt, we need to reduce spending in the state. With a 1.6 billion dollar deficit in the state, there is going to have to be a bipartisan effort in the legislature to scrutinize where we can cut the budget, to get our state where it needs to be fiscally. The State of Louisiana does not have a revenue problem we have historically had a spending problem.



Question 8. How much money have you raised for your campaign thus far?

Enough to get our message to the voters of Senate District 26.





Question 9: What separates you from the other candidate running for state senator?

If you look at my record, you can see that I have been a champion for conservative values both in family and finances and I will continue this effort in the Senate. My background as a former police officer, city councilman and Assistant District Attorney allows me to have a very broad knowledge of key issues that we are facing.





Question 10: Do you favor a coastal congressional district?



I would lean toward a coastal congressional district if it includes Cameron Parish. I would not be in favor of a coastal congressional district if it includes Orleans Parish.