Rep. Jason Hughes Endorses JP Morrell
State Representative Jason Hughes (D-New Orleans) announced today his endorsement of JP Morrell for New Orleans City Council At-Large, Division 2 in the Oct. 9 election.
“JP is relentless in his pursuit of getting things done! I’ve looked up to him for years and am inspired by his ability to think outside the box and navigate politics to achieve the impossible,” said Rep. Jason Hughes, who represents New Orleans East. “JP is the proven, visionary leader New Orleans needs right now.”
Regarded as a changemaker, Morrell defied the odds as a legislator by passing historic laws that ended racist split juries, tightened gun control, and dug our state out of a massive budget hole funding our schools and hospitals.
“As one of the most prolific lawmakers in Louisiana history, JP has authored an astonishingly long list of legislation that protects and empowers the people of New Orleans. He’s passed laws to ban corrupt companies from public contracts, secured funding for a new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facility, created a process to appeal traffic tickets, and he passed a law to stop sudden property tax increases that hurt families,” Hughes continued.
“But even after JP retired from the legislature, he did not stop! JP fought for New Orleans’ fair share of COVID funds and aid as Governor Edwards’ appointee to the Resilient Louisiana Task Force, he led the charge to secure additional funding for Sexual Assault Centers to aid victims of sexual assault on college campuses, and he stood with residents as an advocate against moving City Hall to Treme, against gentrification and harmful Short Term Rentals, and against skyrocketing taxes and fees,” he said. “As our next Councilmember, he’ll continue what he’s been doing his entire life - fighting for the people of New Orleans.”
Rep. Hughes is the latest to join a growing wave of endorsements for JP, which includes the labor unions AFL-CIO and UNITE HERE; criminal justice reform advocates Voters Organized To Educate (VOTE) and former State Representative Patricia Smith; and champion for women and children Representative Aimee Adatto Freeman; and former Chair of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Senator Joe Bouie; among others.
“I’m honored to have Jason’s endorsement. He has been a force in the state legislature, and I’m proud of our work together to address the concerns of the people of New Orleans East and across the city,” said Morrell. “As your next City Councilmember, Jason and I will continue partnering to enact meaningful policies that have real, positive impacts on people's lives. In fact, we’ve already started drafting new, innovative legislation to reduce crime.”