Louisiana PSC District 1 Heads to Runoff as District 5 November Field Is Set
Why It Matters
Two seats on Louisiana’s Public Service Commission — the state panel that regulates utilities — are being decided this election cycle, with outcomes that will shape oversight of energy rates and utility policy for residents across the state. Saturday’s semi-closed party primary clarified one race and left the other unresolved heading into a June runoff.
What Happened
In PSC District 1, which covers the Northshore region and parishes south of Lake Pontchartrain, state Rep. Stephanie Hilferty of New Orleans and former Jefferson Parish President John Young emerged from the Republican primary field to advance to a June 27 runoff. State Rep. Mark Wright of Covington finished third and was eliminated.
The winner of that runoff will face consumer utility advocate Connie Norris of Slidell, running as a Democrat, and engineer Chris Justin of New Orleans, who filed without party affiliation, in the November 3 general election. The District 1 candidates are competing to succeed Republican Eric Skrmetta of Metairie, who has reached his term limit.
In PSC District 5, which encompasses 24 parishes across North Louisiana, the November matchup is already set. Caddo Parish Commissioner John Atkins of Shreveport won the Republican primary and will face Shreveport City Councilman James Green, who prevailed in his own contest. The District 5 winner will succeed Democrat Foster Campbell, a political figure whose career in Louisiana public service has stretched more than five decades and who is also term-limited.
Voting Rules
Saturday’s election operated under semi-closed primary rules, meaning voters without party affiliation could participate by selecting either a Democratic or Republican ballot. Those who chose a party ballot are bound to that same party in the June runoffs, though all voters may support any candidate in the November general election. Voters who opted for a no-party slate did not participate in the partisan primary contests.
By the Numbers
- June 27: Date of the District 1 Republican runoff between Hilferty and Young
- November 3: General election date for both PSC seats
- 24 parishes make up PSC District 5 in North Louisiana
- 3 candidates contested the District 1 GOP primary; 2 advanced
- 50+ years of public service being capped by outgoing District 5 incumbent Foster Campbell
Broader Context
Louisiana has seen elevated interest in down-ballot races this cycle amid ongoing debates over utility regulation and electricity costs. More than 42,000 Louisiana voters cast absentee ballots ahead of the state’s recent primary elections, reflecting continued engagement with state-level contests. Utility commission races, while lower-profile than legislative or statewide offices, carry direct consequences for the energy bills paid by millions of households and businesses.
What’s Next
District 1 Republican voters will return to the polls June 27 to choose between Hilferty and Young. Both District 1 and District 5 general election contests are scheduled for November 3. The winners will take seats on a commission whose decisions affect electricity and gas rates across Louisiana.