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Foster Campbell
2003 - Present
2026
22
Foster Campbell (Democratic Party) is a member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, representing District 5. He assumed office on January 1, 2003. His current term ends on December 31, 2026.
Campbell (Democratic Party) won re-election to the Louisiana Public Service Commission to represent District 5 outright in the primary on November 3, 2020, after the general election was canceled.
Campbell was a 2016 Democratic candidate who sought election to the U.S. Senate from Louisiana. He was defeated by John Kennedy (R) in the runoff election on December 10, 2016.[1]
Campbell served as commission chairman from 2012-2013, when the board elected Republican Eric Skrmetta to take over the leadership role.[2]
Biography
Campbell worked as a schoolteacher and agricultural products salesman from 1972 to 1975. In 1976 he started his own business, the Campbell Insurance Agency, Inc. Cambell served in the Louisiana State Senate from 1976 to 2002. He joined the LPSC in 2003 and has served on that body since.[3]
Education
- Graduated, Bossier High School
- Graduated, Northwestern State University
- Attended, Louisiana State University[3]
Political career
Louisiana Public Service Commission (2003-present)
Campbell has served District 5 on the Louisiana Public Service Commission since 2003. He was Chair from 2012-2013.[3]
Louisiana State Senate (1976-2002)
Campbell was a member of the Louisiana State Senate from 1976 through 2002.[3]
Elections
2020
See also: Louisiana Public Service Commission election, 2020
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 5
Incumbent Foster Campbell won election outright against Shane Smiley in the primary for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 5 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Foster Campbell (D) | 52.8 | 198,033 |
| Shane Smiley (R) | 47.2 | 177,228 | ||
| Total votes: 375,261 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Scotty Waggoner (R)
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated Louisiana's U.S. Senate race as safely Republican. The seat was open following incumbent David Vitter's decision to retire. A total of 24 candidates filed to run and competed in the primary election on November 8, 2016. John Kennedy (R) and Foster Campbell (D) took the top two spots in the election, advancing to the general election on December 10, 2016. Kennedy subsequently defeated Campbell in the general election.[4]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  John Kennedy |
60.7% | 536,191 | |
| Democratic | Foster Campbell | 39.3% | 347,816 | |
| Total Votes | 884,007 | |||
| Source: Louisiana Secretary of State | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Kennedy |
25% | 482,591 | |
| Democratic | Foster Campbell |
17.5% | 337,833 | |
| Republican | Charles Boustany | 15.4% | 298,008 | |
| Democratic | Caroline Fayard | 12.5% | 240,917 | |
| Republican | John Fleming | 10.6% | 204,026 | |
| Republican | Rob Maness | 4.7% | 90,856 | |
| Republican | David Duke | 3% | 58,606 | |
| Democratic | Derrick Edwards | 2.7% | 51,774 | |
| Democratic | Gary Landrieu | 2.4% | 45,587 | |
| Republican | Donald Crawford | 1.3% | 25,523 | |
| Republican | Joseph Cao | 1.1% | 21,019 | |
| Independent | Beryl Billiot | 1% | 19,352 | |
| Libertarian | Thomas Clements | 0.6% | 11,370 | |
| Independent | Troy Hebert | 0.5% | 9,503 | |
| Democratic | Josh Pellerin | 0.4% | 7,395 | |
| Democratic | Peter Williams | 0.4% | 6,855 | |
| Democratic | Vinny Mendoza | 0.3% | 4,927 | |
| Independent | Kaitlin Marone | 0.2% | 4,108 | |
| Libertarian | Le Roy Gillam | 0.2% | 4,067 | |
| Republican | Charles Marsala | 0.2% | 3,684 | |
| Independent | Arden Wells | 0.1% | 1,483 | |
| Independent | Bob Lang | 0.1% | 1,424 | |
| Independent | Gregory Taylor | 0.1% | 1,151 | |
| Total Votes | 1,932,059 | |||
| Source: Louisiana Secretary of State | ||||
2014
Campbell ran for re-election as Louisiana Public Service Commissioner representing District 5 in 2014.[5] The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
Results
| Public Service Commissioner of Louisiana, District 5, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Foster Campbell Incumbent |
61.5% | 169,098 | |
| Republican | Keith Gates | 38.5% | 105,918 | |
| Total Votes | 275,016 | |||
| Election results via Louisiana Secretary of State | ||||
Race background
Ethics concerns for Skrmetta
The Times-Picayune published a report on August 5, 2014, detailing an email exchange between Commissioner Skrmetta and Andrew B. Ezell from the Gulf State Renewable Energies Industry Association. This exchange reportedly included a request by Skrmetta for the organization's support ahead of the November election in exchange for his vote in support of more lenient metering policies in Louisiana. Ezell sent the request to members of the association on August 2, only four days prior to commission hearings about lifting the state's limit on payments to consumers using solar panels.[6]
Skrmetta denied wrongdoing or an exchange of favors with solar energy firms following the paper's report. He noted in The Times-Picayune that the commission needed to review metering policy due to concerns about the potential bankruptcy of an unnamed solar firm based in the state. He faced criticism from challenger Forest Wright (R) and fellow commissioner Foster Campbell (D), though ultimately won re-election in the December general election.
Wright, an energy policy advocate based in New Orleans, cited Skrmetta's email as a motivation for his 2014 campaign. Wright and Skrmetta supported lighter regulations on solar installation firms, though Wright was concerned about the alleged quid pro quo involved in Skrmetta's email. He previously sought the District 2 seat on the board in 2012. Campbell, who won re-election to the District 5 seat, was vocal in opposing changes to existing metering policy and alleged that Skrmetta's behavior was "borderline illegal."[6][7]
Issues background
 |
| Energy policy is a major issue in Louisiana. To learn more, see "Energy policy in Louisiana." |
Net metering
Net metering is a billing system where customers who generate their own electricity, usually using renewable sources, such as solar panels, are able to sell their excess electricity back to the grid. This requires electricity to be able to flow both to and from the consumer. According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency "net metering is required by law in most U.S. states, but state policies vary widely."[8] In some states, consumers generating excess power are compensated at the full retail rate, while other states compensate individual producers at the wholesale rate. Retail electricity rates are the final prices paid by consumers and include the all the costs of that electricity, from generation to delivery. Wholesale electricity rates "include the cost of the fuel used to generate electricity and the cost of buying the power," but do not include the costs of transporting or delivering electricity.[9]
- Proponents of net metering argue the system is beneficial because it promotes renewable energy and incentivizes consumers to produce their own electricity, which they argue is more efficient. Consumers are often drawn to this program because they can save money by generating their own electricity (as opposed to buying it from a utility company), and they can even receive credit back on their electricity bill for the excess electricity they generated.[10]
- Opponents of net metering argue that customers who sell their electricity back to the grid at the full electricity price are not paying for the fixed costs associated with power generation, such as wires, poles, meters and other infrastructure. According to these opponents, consumers producing their own energy are often still using power supplied by a utility company when their own generation isn't sufficient. For example, on cloudy days those with solar panels must rely on the grid system for electricity. Instead, opponents argue that consumers should be paid the wholesale price for electricity.[9]
In Louisiana, the commercial, residential and agricultural sectors can utilize net metering for solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, small hydroelectric, renewable fuel cells, geothermal electric and microturbines. Utilities in Louisiana pay the full retail rate for electricity generated from net metering, but once net metering purchases exceed 0.5 percent of a utility's retail peak load they no longer have to offer net metering.[11] Entergy, which serves approximately 1.07 million electric customers in Louisiana, had already reached 75 percent of its 0.5 percent cap on net metering purchases by February 28, 2014.[12][13]
Endorsements
Skrmetta earned the endorsements of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the state Republican Party and the Louisiana Sheriff's Organization prior to the November election.[14] Wright received the endorsement of primary candidate Allen "Al" Leone (R) ahead of the general election.[15]
Commission as launching pad
The Louisiana Public Service Commission has served as a stepping stone to higher office in Louisiana. The following chart details past commissioners who eventually won election to the governor's office:[16][17]
| Former commissioners who became governors | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Party | Commission service | Gubernatorial service |
| Huey Long |  Democratic |
1918-1928 | 1928-1932 |
| Jimmie Davis | Democratic |
1942-1944 | 1944-1948, 1960-1964 |
| John McKeithen | Democratic |
1955-1964 | 1964-1972 |
| Kathleen Blanco | Democratic |
1989-1996 | 2004-2008 |
2008
Campbell won re-election to Louisiana Public Service Commission District 5 on October 4, 2008.[18]
| Louisiana Public Service Commission, District 5, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Foster Campbell Incumbent |
78.1% | 120,805 | |
| No party affiliation | James "Jim" Crowley | 21.9% | 33,916 | |
| Total Votes | 154,721 | |||
| Election results via Louisiana Secretary of State | ||||
2002
| Louisiana Public Service Commission, District 5, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Foster Campbell |
50.7% | 123,749 | |
| Democratic | Don Owen | 49.3% | 120,413 | |
| Total Votes | 244,162 | |||
| Election results via Louisiana Secretary of State | ||||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Foster Campbell did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Louisiana Public Service Commission District 5 |
Officeholder Louisiana Public Service Commission District 5 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ The Advocate, "Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell running for the U.S. Senate," February 26, 2016
- ↑ Nola.com, "Eric Skrmetta elected chairman of Louisiana Public Service Commission," January 31, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Louisiana Public Service Commission, "Commissioner District 5," accessed March 6, 2013
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate Inquiry," accessed July 25, 2016
- ↑ E-mail communication with Kristen Mathews, June 2, 2014
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Times-Picayune, "Email controversy ensnares Public Service Commission Chair Eric Skrmetta, solar proposal," August 5, 2014
- ↑ The Advocate, "Solar compromise offered," August 15, 2014
- ↑ Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, "Glossary," accessed October 22, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Edison Electric Institute, "Straight Talk About Net Metering," September 2013
- ↑ Solar Energy industries Alliance, "Net Metering," accessed October 22, 2014
- ↑ Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, "Louisiana Net Metering," October 19, 2014
- ↑ Entergy, "Net Metering for Renewable Energy Resources," accessed October 22, 2014
- ↑ Entergy, "About Us," accessed October 22, 2014
- ↑ The Times-Picayune, "Industry group backs Eric Skrmetta for Public Service Commission," September 15, 2014
- ↑ The Times-Picayune, "Public Service Commission candidate Forest Wright picks up endorsement from former rival Al Leone," November 10, 2014
- ↑ The Times-Picayune, "Public Service Commission finally getting interesting: Jeremy Alford," August 26, 2014
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Find Results and Statistics," accessed September 18, 2014
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Results for Election Date: 10/4/2008," accessed March 28, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Louisiana Public Service Commission District 5 2003-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Louisiana State Senate 1976-2002 |
Succeeded by - |
| |||||||||||||||||
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State of Louisiana Baton Rouge (capital) |
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