Brian Salvatore
Brian Salvatore (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Louisiana House of Representatives to represent District 5. Salvatore lost in the primary on October 12, 2019.
Salvatore completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2019
See also: Louisiana House of Representatives 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 House of Representatives District 5
Incumbent Alan Seabaugh won election outright against Brian Salvatore in the primary for Louisiana House of Representatives District 5 on October 12, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Alan Seabaugh (R) | 66.2 | 8,055 |
 | Brian Salvatore (D)  | 33.8 | 4,116 | |
| Total votes: 12,171 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Brian Salvatore completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Salvatore's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Education Economic Development Infrastructure
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
universal pre-K, the creation of opportunity through smart economic development, fixing our roads and bridges, student debt, supporting vocational and trade programs and trade apprenticeships, expunge criminal records for minor drug possession offenses. I am passionate about these things because I want to leverage investments in education to create new economic development opportunities for as many people as possible.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to Dr. Craig Spohn, Executive Director of the Cyber Innovation Center for his success in leveraging business/education partnerships and working towards the creation of thousands of new jobs in this region. I also look up to retired Lt. General Russel Honore because he taught me the importance of personal sacrifice in leadership.;I look up to Dr. Craig Spohn, Executive Director of the Cyber Innovation Center for his success in leveraging business/education partnerships and working towards the creation of thousands of new jobs in this region. I also look up to retired Lt. General Russel Honore because he taught me the importance of personal sacrifice in leadership.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
The Golden Rule
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty, hard-work, transparency, and critical thinking,
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Intelligence, a down-to-earth personality, bipartisan respect, and a proven problem-solver.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Problem-solving in education, economic development, and infrastructure.;Problem-solving in education, economic development, and infrastructure.
What legacy would you like to leave?
“He built relationships and overcame partisanship to create new economic opportunity that raised the standard of living in NW Louisiana.”;“He built relationships and overcame partisanship to create new economic opportunity that raised the standard of living in NW Louisiana.”
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The moon landing in July 1969. I was 4-years old.;The moon landing in July 1969. I was 4-years old.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
A busboy at a Chinese restaurant. I had to leave after 3 months because of high school basketball.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving (Parades and spending time with Family—-a time to recharge).;Thanksgiving (Parades and spending time with Family—-a time to recharge).
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Lt. Colombo (as portrayed by Peter Falk)
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
Book collection (brings back memories of my father)
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
“Crystal” by Stevie Nicks
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Trying to find solutions to vast inequality in housing, opportunity, and the quality of neighborhood schools.;Trying to find solutions to vast inequality in housing, opportunity, and the quality of neighborhood schools.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
It is not necessary. There are advantages to not being entrenched with political lobbyists.;It is not necessary. There are advantages to not being entrenched with political lobbyists.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Diversification of our economy and the creation of opportunity for diverse constituencies.;Diversification of our economy and the creation of opportunity for diverse constituencies.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
An independent but cordial relationship that puts the people first.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes, especially with people who do not always agree with one another but have sincere relationships with their constituents and are following their hearts.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
House Education Committee House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment;House Education Committee House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I would like to participate in the Democratic Caucus to support new moderate candidates, and especially to encourage more women to run for political office in Louisiana.;I would like to participate in the Democratic Caucus to support new moderate candidates, and especially to encourage more women to run for political office in Louisiana.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Former state representative Gene Reynolds from Minden, a fair-minded bipartisan Democrat and champion of people.;Former state representative Gene Reynolds from Minden, a fair-minded bipartisan Democrat and champion of people.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I am touched by the number of single parents who are working 2-3 jobs (often for low wages) in order to create opportunities for their children.;I am touched by the number of single parents who are working 2-3 jobs (often for low wages) in order to create opportunities for their children.
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.
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
