JOB POSTING: Communications Director

Louisiana Democratic Party
Job Opening: Communications Director

The Louisiana Democratic Party (LDP) seeks a Communications Director to manage the overall messaging strategy of the Louisiana Democratic Party, act as spokesperson for the LDP when appropriate, maintain and grow connections and relationships with the local, state and national press, and work alongside Democratic candidates in the 2018-2019 Coordinated Campaign to hold Republicans accountable while sharing Democratic priorities and messages. The Communications Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Coordinated Team Leadership to set strategic goals and raise the profile of the LDP and our candidates. Additionally, the Communications Director will work closely with the digital team to keep all communications, messages, and branding clear and concise.

The Communications Director will be responsible for, and expected to contribute equally to, several office-wide projects including large-scale fundraisers, large events, elections, the Convention and other LDP gatherings.

This position will work directly with the leadership of the Coordinated Campaign and will be supervised by the Executive Director.

Duties of the Communications Director include:

• Developing and implementing over-arching communications strategy, plans and messages for the State Party;
• Ensuring message continuity across all areas of communications programs;
• Developing and maintaining relationships with communications leaders amongst Party allies and the media;
• Building and executing an aggressive statewide surrogate program;
• Writing and editing external communications, including talking points, scripts, press releases, and op-eds;
• Working with local stakeholder groups to help spread a coordinated message statewide;
• Drafting press releases and other media outreach materials;
• Facilitating press conferences and other earned media events;
• Working with a team to develop and manage a robust social media program;
• Compiling press and issues information and writing briefings;
• Preparing talking points;
• Working with legislative leadership to take advantage of press opportunities;
• Maintaining and updating media lists;
• Monitoring local and national press for relevant stories and developments; and
• Developing and deploying rapid responses.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years working in political and/or advocacy communications;
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills;
• Exceptional people skills and patience;
• Strong time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously under strict deadlines;
• Strong on-the-record expertise, as well as experience managing all aspects of social media;
• Adept at reviewing crafting plans from polling data
• Experience with campaign operations and political communications;
• Responsive and positive team player who enjoys versatility and constant new challenges;
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, Dropbox, Facebook, Twitter and other social media tools; and
• A strong commitment to Democratic values.
• Preferred:  3 years of Louisiana political experience

Logistics:

• Must have a reliable mode of transportation and the ability to travel extensively at times throughout the state for more than a day at a time;
• Must be able to travel outside of the state, often for several days at a time, to national trainings and events; and
• Office hours are 9:00 – 5:00 in Baton Rouge LA, Monday through Friday, however, evening and weekend hours will be needed regularly.

Salary & Benefits:

The Louisiana Democratic Party offers a competitive salary and benefits package with the opportunity for growth.

Application and Interview Procedure:

To apply, e-mail a letter describing your interest in the job, your resume, at least two writing samples and a list of references to Michelle Brister at mbrister@lademo.org.  Please do not contact by phone.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The Louisiana Democratic Party (LDP) is committed to diversity among its staff, and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. The LDP is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or physical disability, or any other legally protected basis. The LDP will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.

RELEASE: LDP ANNOUNCES GOV. TERRY MCAULIFFE AS 2018 TBG KEYNOTE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                  

April 9, 2018

Media Contact: D’Seante Parks

Dparks@lademo.org

(225) 336-4155

Louisiana Democratic Party Announces Governor Terry McAuliffe as Keynote Speaker for 2018 True Blue Gala

BATON ROUGE, La. – Today, the Louisiana Democratic Party announced that former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe will be the keynote speaker for the 2018 True Blue Gala. McAuliffe is set to speak at the annual fundraiser on Friday, May 18^th in Baton Rouge.

“Gov. McAuliffe has been a great friend and took bold steps to move the State of Virginia forward,” Governor John Bel Edwards said. “He led Virginia to a thriving, competitive economy that afforded folks a better quality of life. His focus on growing the economy while improving public education, the criminal justice system and public health made his state stronger and represents the values I’m committed to securing right here in our great state.”

“We are excited to welcome the former DNC Chairman who has been a leader in organizing and building the party at every level,” said Senator Karen Carter Peterson, Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party.  “Governor McAuliffe knows the value of strong state parties and investing early having helped lead presidential campaigns, the DNC and most recently in helping elect Democrat Ralph Northam his successor in Virginia.”

“I look forward to sharing my ideas about the importance of ensuring equality and growing the economy in a way that benefits hardworking people and families,” said McAuliffe. “It’s a fact that Democrats are the party of responsible fiscal policies.  Under John Bel Edwards’ administration we continue to see that Democrats have a holistic approach to improving our society that includes caring for those who have the least among us so they have every opportunity to succeed. Justice reform, access to affordable healthcare, and education are all important components in building a healthy and sustainable economy – and Democrats are delivering in those and other key areas.”

For more information or to purchase tickets visit http://www.LouisianaDemocrats.org.

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As Governor of Virginia, McAuliffe conducted a record 35 trade missions, to dozens of countries, personally delivering Virginia’s calling card to business leaders around the globe. As a result, hundreds of thousands of jobs were created and more than $20 billion in capital investment to communities across the Commonwealth, which is billions more than any previous governor. He oversaw the unemployment rate dropping from 5.4% to 3.6% and initial unemployment claims fall to a 44 year low.  Personal income rose 12.3% during his term of office.

Protecting the rights of all Virginians was always a top priority for McAuliffe. He successfully vetoed a record 120 bills that would have taken Virginia backward. In doing so, McAuliffe protected women’s access to health care, Virginia’s world-class education system, the environment, and the integrity of our electoral system.

He made unprecedented progress on the restoration of civil rights to rehabilitated felons who have completed their sentences and paid their debt to society. During his tenure, McAuliffe restored the rights of more than 173,000 Virginians, more than any other governor in U.S. history.

Under the McAuliffe Administration, the Department of Juvenile Justice reduced its population in state-operated Juvenile Correctional Centers by nearly two-thirds. Virginia has boasted the lowest adult recidivism rate in the nation for the past two straight years.

McAuliffe won bipartisan support for a historic $1 billion investment in public education and higher education, the most in Virginia history. As a result of his actions, students saw the lowest tuition increase in 15 years. He also successfully secured passage of a law establishing a pay-for-performance workforce training program, the first of its kind in the Nation.  Virginia became the first state in the nation to adopt computer science and computational thinking standards in its K-12 curriculum.

Virginia became the first state to be designated as employer of National Service.

He led the effort to make Virginia the first state in America to be certified to have functionally ended veteran homelessness.  In addition, 30,000 veterans were hired through the Virginia Values Veterans program, a six-fold increase.

Millennials Respond #WhyIVoteDem

State Representative Julie Emerson is running to be the next Chair of the LAGOP. Last week she released a slickly produced video where she tries to define Democrats and ponders just why Millennials are not supporting her party.

We decided to ask a few… and here is what they had to say…

Tell us why you vote Dem with #WhyIVoteDem and be sure to tag @lademos !

Justin DeWitt, Candidate for LA’s 6th Congressional District

In this video, Emerson makes some wild claims.  In doing so, Emerson underestimates the critical thinking of an entire generation of Americans. It is true that Millennials are upset with the status quo of crony capitalism. They came of age as the global economy burned around them, fueled by the fire of Wall Street greed. Since then, the Republican controlled state government has gutted our public school system, let our infrastructure crumble to worst in the nation and all in the name of corporate tax cuts.

Millennials see the damage that the unrestrained crony capitalism of Reaganomics has done to their families and communities. Millennials see that when labor is more freely able to unionize, they are better able to negotiate wages and benefits. They see that when the government is able to stop major corporations from dumping pollution in their communities, their health and quality of life improves. They see that when Americans aren’t burdened by the enormous cost of healthcare, they’re free to spend that money in other segments of the economy. They see that when workers have more money to spend, the entire economy benefits.

Millennials see that there is a better way forward and that Democratic Party has the potential to lead the way.

Agree with Justin? Tweet why you vote Democrat with #WhyIVoteDem

Melanie Oubre, Executive Director, Emerge Louisiana

To Rep. Emerson, here are a few reasons Millennials are not Republicans:

1. We don’t believe in taking healthcare away from Americans, including CHILDREN.

2. We believe that Student Loan debt should not have high-interest rates that increase profits of the richest banks in our country while bankrupting YOUR generation, Julie.

3. We believe women should not have to listen to old white men re: what to do with their own damn bodies.

4. We believe in affordable education and healthcare

5. We believe in inclusivity and diversity- something your party has fought against at every turn.

6. We believe people should not be locked up for life because they smoked a joint, or sold one.

7. We acknowledge that institutional racism is real and has held a large portion of our generation back from achieving its potential.

8. CLIMATE CHANGE IS A REAL THING

I could go on and on and on. This video is offensive. You are talking about Millennials as if they are stupid and don’t know history. Good luck trying to condescend to us to get our vote.

Agree with Melanie? Post on Facebook why you vote Democrat with #WhyIVoteDem and tag us and EmergeLouisiana!

Maria Harmon, Co-Director of Step Up Louisiana, Communications Chair of Young Democrats of Louisiana

Julie Emerson made some far reaching claims in her video explaining the history of  progressivism and resistance from the Republican Party. She needs to be careful in doing so because the values of the Republican Party are drastically different in these current times. The Grand Ol’ Party has become a groundswell for fascists and White nationalists. We have a President with an administration that has exhibited hate, lies, racist and misogynistic views. Harriet Tubman surely wouldn’t stand for this, she would be siding with the Democratic Party pushing an agenda that is uplifting all people and breaking down barriers of systemic racism and oppression. With the newly passed tax bill lead by the GOP, there’s not much us millennials can benefit from. There’s nothing appealing about the GOP for today’s youth, we’re far too conscious and aware in our views to accept nonsense. There’s a new day for millennials but not for the GOP.

Agree with Maria? Tweet why you vote Democrat with #WhyIVoteDem

Charlie Stephens, President, LA High School Democrats

“Republicans are playing their classic disinformation game with Julie Emerson’s desperate video to recruit new blood into a ever aging party that goes against everything that millenials and high school students across Louisiana stand for.”

Agree with Charlie? Facebook why you vote Democrat with #WhyIVoteDem
Frederick Bell, Former President, Founding member, LA High School Democrats

“I applaud Rep. Julie Emerson’s attempt to court millennials. Too often we’ve been ignored and rarely have a seat at the table. But the representative’s heavily produced video and poor conflation shouldn’t fool anyone, let alone millennials. “Fresh ideas” should include plans that enable the American people to (1) make a decent wage for the work they do, (2) afford world-class healthcare— regardless of income, (3) not go into debt while trying to earn a high-quality education, and so much more. These are the issues we should all care about. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed. That’s the American way.”
Clare Stagg, Indivisible Baton Rouge

I guess what I’d say in response to this video is that it isn’t the case that millennials are progressive because it’s “hipster” to be progressive. Millenials are progressive because we have to be. We’re progressive because wages haven’t risen since our parents were our age, college is unaffordable, and just going to the doctor can wreck our finances. Millennials aren’t progressive because it’s trendy- we’re progressive out of sheer necessity.

Agree with Frederick or Clare? Tweet why you vote Democrat with #WhyIVoteDem
Floyd Tarver, Jr., Nicholls State College Democrats

…echoed President’s John F. Kennedy’s iconic words, stating “If by a Democrat they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people-their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties-someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a “Democrat”, then I’m proud to say I’m a “Democrat.”
Trey Caruso, Team LDP

I could only laugh after watching Rep. Emerson’s gross misrepresentation of the Democratic Party and our values. Her message is exactly the reason that Millenials dislike and distrust Republicans: It’s disingenuous and condescending, and it lacks any trace of context or substance. Democrats, especially those of us here in Louisiana, are not radical socialists, and certainly do not subscribe to the radically conservative ideology adhered to by Hitler as her poorly thought-out (and poorly produced) video suggests. Young Democrats in Louisiana are concerned with the health and well-being of our family, friends, and neighbors, and the protection of our coast and environment. We’re concerned with the fiscal  and economic health of our state, and understand that when the poor and middle class succeed, Louisiana prospers.
Matthew Schoenberger, Our Revolution, NOLA

Here are a few reasons why millennials are not Republicans:

1. We believe that Climate Change is a reality caused by human activity.

2. We believe that every American has the right to affordable healthcare.

3. We believe in Government regulations that keep our drinking water clean and the American people safe from hazards.

4. We know that lowering taxes for Corporations will hurt and not help the economy. The Kansas Republican experiment was an economic nightmare, and the United States does not need a repeat performance.

5. We believe that harsh prison sentences for minor drug offenses is a form of oppression and must be changed.

6. We believe that everyone, regardless of their sex, creed, religion, or race should be treated with dignity and respect and that equality must be the law of the land.

7. We believe that $7.25 is a starvation wage.

8. We believe that the Dreamers belong in this Country, because this is their home.

9. We believe that Black Lives Matter.

10. We believe that Women should receive equal pay for equal work.
The Democratic Party is rich in it’s diversity – in fact that is our biggest strength!

Each of these folks told us Why They Vote Democrat, we hope you will weigh in on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag – #WhyIVoteDem.  We want to hear from you.  All of Louisiana needs to hear from you!  #WhyIVoteDem

RELEASE: CONGRESSMAN RICHMOND ENDORSES DERRICK EDWARDS FOR STATE TREASURER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2017                                                  

Contact: D’Seante Parks

Dparks@lademo.org

(225) 336-4155

CONGRESSMAN RICHMOND ENDORSES DERRICK EDWARDS FOR STATE TREASURER

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-02) enthusiastically endorsed Derrick Edwards, candidate for state treasurer today.

Edwards, a New Orleans native, earned a Bachelor and Masters in Accounting and a Law Degree after suffering a football injury at JFK high school in New Orleans. He has committed to making the Treasurer’s office transparent, focusing on raising Louisiana’s bond rating that is currently declining and bringing unclaimed properties into the 21st century using technology to return any and all property to the citizens of Louisiana.

“Derrick represents the kind of story our state should be celebrating,” said Congressman Richmond.  “As our Treasurer he will never lose sight of what it means for every single taxpayer and citizen of our state to overcome adversity big and small in their everyday lives.

“Derrick is the most qualified candidate in the race. His preparation started at Tulane University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s in Accounting. Combined with his technical qualifications, he will be a smart watchdog guarding our hard earned tax dollars and fighting to prioritize our working families.”

“I thank Congressman Richmond for his endorsement and as the most qualified candidate, I will bring accountability and transparency to Louisiana State Treasurer’s Office, so that every individual in Louisiana knows exactly how their Tax Dollars are being spent,” said Derrick Edwards.

Edwards faces former State Rep. John Schroeder in the runoff election on November 18, 2017.

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