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Arita Lipps Bohannan
Arita Lipps Bohannan (Republican Party) ran for election to the Louisiana State Senate to represent District 10. She lost in the primary on October 12, 2019.
Bohannan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Lipps Bohannan attended Louisiana State University. She obtained a B.S. from the University of Phoenix and a J.D. from Loyola University-New Orleans. She also obtained a certificate of common law and a certificate of international law. Her professional experience includes working as a business owner, family law attorney, mediator, author, and former magistrate.[1]
As of 2019, Lipps Bohannan was affiliated with the following organizations:
- Vineyard Church, Member
- Metropolitan Center for Women and Children, Board member
- River Region Republican Women, Past president
- Kenner Business Association, Past president
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- Jefferson Bar Association
- Association of Women Attorneys
- Chateau Estates Civic Organization, Member
- Krewe of Nyx, Member
- Krewe of Choctaw, Member and Float lieutenant
- Krewe of Pygmalion, Past queen
- University City Civic Association, Member[1]
Elections
2019
See also: Louisiana State Senate elections, 2019
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 State Senate District 10
Kirk Talbot won election outright against Arita Lipps Bohannan in the primary for Louisiana State Senate District 10 on October 12, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Kirk Talbot (R) | 54.9 | 16,699 |
 | Arita Lipps Bohannan (R)  | 45.1 | 13,723 | |
| Total votes: 30,422 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- R.A. Galan (Independent)
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Arita Lipps Bohannan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bohannan's responses.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
The City of Kenner, which comprises more than 40% of my district, received zero dollars in capital outlay funding. I will meet with the mayor and city councilmembers, and well as the mayor and councilmembers of Harahan to determine the capital needs of each city to immediately lobby for those funds. I will also meet with the parish president, District 4 Parish Councilmember, and key parish department leaders to determine our capital outlay plan for Jefferson. I will also meet with the representative and senator from the district to determine which projects are in progress and need to be sustained. I will arrange two Priority Summits to give constituents an opportunity to express their interests in issues that will be discussed by the legislature.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
My father. He is retired from the US Army and the strongest most ethical person I know.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Elected officials should remember that they are the voice...sometimes the only voice...a person has in state government. The needs of the district must prevail over party politics.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Growing up the daughter of a soldier gave me a foundation of love of my country. I have a fighting spirit with a servants heart. Putting others before myself will make me a success.
What legacy would you like to leave?
As a legacy, I hope to instill trust in the legislature. I hope to be a voice for those who feel silenced. I hope that my integrity is what comes to mind when people hear my name.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
At 8 years old I was the victim of sexual assault and it changed the course of my life.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was at a law firm when I was 15!
What is your favorite book? Why?
Docket No. #76 because I wrote it!
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I struggled to overcome poverty. And I did...my weapon was education
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
No....in fact, I think it is better to elect business and civic leaders passionate about their district.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Funding is a challenge in Louisiana as in many states. We have educational issues, particularly in my district, that need to be addressed as well.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
A careful balance where integrity dictates, not party.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Legislatures must maintain atleast professional relationships so that trust can be established. But never so close a relationship where your judgment is compromised.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Insurance Civil Law
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | Is there anything you would like to add?
Born an Army brat, I learned early a deep love of my country and the importance of it’s protection. A victim of childhood sexual abuse, I found strength and protection in the law and our legal system. Those experiences have led me to have a successful life dedicated to advocacy. Being your elected advocate is a natural progression of my desire to serve my country and fellow citizens. I have been honored by the military for donating my time public speaking about me experiences, I have been honored by the Louisiana Supreme Court when asked to not only serve on the Disciplinary Committee but to act as a chairman, I have been honored by the Louisiana Bar when being asked to participate in teaching other lawyers as well as being featured in their video about ethics and professionalism. I have been honored to have two amazing sons call me mom and an incredible husband of over 20 years call me his wife. I understand the difficult positions in which our state currently remains. I am uniquely qualified to resolve these issues fairly, but firmly.[2] |
” |
| —Arita Lipps Bohannan[1] | ||
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
