Senator Rick Ward to leave LA Senate after New Miss. Bridge confirmed

Now that the most recent legislative session for the Louisiana Senate came to an end, Senator Rick Ward of District 17 will be stepping away from politics. In an interview with the Jordy Culotta podcast, Ward revealed that he will now be pursuing a career in the private sector.

Ward said that the completion of his personal long-term legislative goals, especially those in infrastructure, was one of the biggest reasons for his departure. The pinnacle of this work was completed this past legislative session with the confirmation of a New Mississippi River Bridge in Plaquemine. While the work isn’t completed, the building blocks have been put in place to complete the new bridge.

“The finality of (my career) for me was seeing the funding source put in place for a new Mississippi river bridge,” Ward said. “We finished that workup this session, not that it's completed but we have the revenue streams and the down payment to get that going.”

The down payment Ward is referring to is $300 millions dollars that was given to the project following the legislative session that ended on Monday, June 6.

Ward spoke about the shift he has seen in the legislature, saying that there have been some positive changes, but also frustrating ones.

With the implementation of term limits, something that Ward was not a fan of, he did admit that he is now seeing a younger generation of politicians come through, adding new perspectives to an aging legislative body.

However, with these changes have come new roadblcosk in discussions and progress.

“Unfortunately, we spend so much of our time on the political hot button issues, the things that drive the headlines and catch people's attention but really don't affect your daily life as much as you think,” Ward said. “It's become a lot more difficult to get the most necessary things done.”

To find more of Senator Ward’s interview with Jordy Culotta, click the YouTube link at the top of the page or use the Spotify link at the bottom.

Anthony Bailey

@anthonycbailey