On Friday morning Representative Jeff Thompson announced the “first wave” of supporters from both the Louisiana House and Senate for the “Defend Louisiana” initiative.

“Defend Louisiana is proud to have the support of Senators and Representatives from across the state,” said Thompson. “Such a strong legislative backing shows liberal, reactionary politicians that we’re serious about defending our rights and protecting our families here in Louisiana.”

Among the first to announce their support for Defend Louisiana were:

Rep. Clay Schexnayder (R-Dist. 81)
Rep. Chris Broadwater (R-Dist. 86)
Rep. Jay Morris (R-Dist.14)
Rep. Stuart Bishop (R-Dist. 43)
Rep. Lenar Whitney (R-Dist. 53)
Rep. Paul Hollis (R-Dist. 104)
Rep. Rob Shadoin (R- Dist. 12)
Sen. Elbert Guillory (D-Dist. 24)
Sen. Ronnie Johns (R-Dist. 27)
Sen. Robert Adley (R-Dist. 36)
Sen. Mike Walsworth (R-Dist. 33)
Sen. Neil Riser (R- Dist. 32)

“This group consists of bold men and women, from both sides of the aisle, who are willing to stand up and speak out in defense of the Second Amendment.” Thompson went on to say, “All across Louisiana, legislators are committed to protecting Louisiana families from attempts to take away their right to protect themselves, their families and enjoy our great outdoors.”

Defend Louisiana’s founder, State Representative Jeff Thompson (R-Dist. 8), and his legislative supporters plans to oppose attempts to erode the Second Amendment rights of Louisiana citizens; to protect Louisiana gun owners; to enhance school safety and; to raise awareness of lawful gun ownership and of gun safety, and celebrate the hunting and outdoor traditions of Louisiana families in the Sportman’s Paradise.

Defend Louisiana was announced on Monday, January 28, 2013. Since then, the initiative has collected close to 1,000 signatures and reached more than 50,000 people through the use of social media.

Read the pledge or get more information at http://defendla.org.

Click here for a copy of the “Defend Louisiana” logo.

Click here for a copy of Rep. Jeff Thompson’s headshot.

###

Today, Representative Jeff Thompson (R-Bossier City, LA) unveiled a new statewide campaign to defend the rights of Louisiana residents to bear arms called “Defend Louisiana.”

“The campaign’s goal is to defend Louisiana residents’ right to protect their families,” said Thompson. “We’ve done some good things to protect the Second Amendment in Louisiana, but we’re not finished yet. The Defend Louisiana campaign gives our residents a way to let their voices be heard throughout the state and across the nation. We’re standing together and sending a message to President Obama, Vice President Biden, the federal Government and those reactionary politicians who want to penalize law abiding citizens. We do not intend to allow go unanswered any effort to interfere with the right to protect our families here in the Sportsman’s Paradise.”

Defend Louisiana, an initiative created by Thompson, plans to announce a statewide tour in the coming weeks to collect signatures in support of the Second Amendment.

“We’re very excited about traveling the state and talking with our neighbors throughout Louisiana who share our belief that we have the right to protect our families. The solution to gun violence is not found in restricting the rights of law abiding citizens or demonizing self-defense.”

Thompson plans to unveil the signed petition on April 8, 2013, the opening day of the Louisiana legislative session in Baton Rouge.

Thompson also says he plans to work in collaboration with several other legislators to develop a package of bills that will protect Louisiana gun owners from federal intrusion; to penalize those who publish the names of concealed carry permit holders; to enhance school safety and; to raise awareness of lawful gun ownership and of gun safety and celebrate the hunting traditions of Louisiana families.

“We fully intend to give residents a united and strong voice in the defense of their rights and the protection of their families.” Thompson went on to say, “We’re showing our commitment to reform by doing more than just talking, we’re presenting bold solutions that increase safety while maintaining our fundamental rights. In the coming weeks and months there will be a lot of discussion regarding guns. We need to make certain our children realize guns can be dangerous and that we educate people about responsible ownership and use of firearms.”

The Defend Louisiana pledge provides: “I pledge to defend the right for law abiding citizens to protect their families, and will work against attempts to restrict my right to keep and bear arms by standing up for the Second Amendment and letting my voice be heard.”

“This is about defending our rights and protecting our families while supporting effective solutions to gun violence,” Thompson said. “I hope my fellow legislators and thousands across Louisiana will join me on this journey.”

###

I will be posting regular updates on my website, Facebook and Twitter about key issues throughout the legislative session. If you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask. Follow me on Twitter, find me on Facebook, and join the conversation! I’m not going to our Capitol to sit on the sidelines, together we will make Louisiana a better place to raise a family, start a career, and own a profitable business.

-Jeff

BATON ROUGE, 09/27/11, 2011 — The National Federation of Independent Business, Louisiana’s leading small-business association, has endorsed Jeff Thompson in the District 8 State House race.

The endorsement was made by NFIB/Louisiana SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust, which is comprised exclusively of NFIB members. NFIB has nearly 5,000 small-business members throughout the state.

“Jeff Thompson is the clear choice for small business in House District 8. As the former President of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Bossier Economic Development Foundation, Jeff Thompson understands the challenges facing Louisiana’s businesses large and small,” said Renee Baker, state director of NFIB/Louisiana.

“We believe Jeff Thompson will take a fiscally responsible approach to managing state government and support legislation that helps our small businesses grow and create jobs and puts Louisiana back on the pathway to success.”

“It is an honor and privilege to receive NIFB’s support” said Jeff Thompson. “Having the endorsement from an organization that I consider the leading voice for small business in Louisiana adds to the growing momentum of our pro-business, pro-jobs campaign,” added Thompson.

NFIB’s endorsement is critical to the Jeff Thompsons campaign. Small business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to go to the polls. NFIB has pledged it will activate its grassroots network on behalf of the campaign. NFIB’s political support is based on the candidates’ positions and records on small business issues.

###

NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends its views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.

There has never been a more important election than this one.  Today in our state, job growth is slow, taxes are high and consumer confidence is down.  Now more than ever, we need to elect business leaders who understand how to create policies that help lead to jobs.

As the former Chamber president, I know what makes our local economy work.  As your state representative, I will fight for lower taxes and less regulation, I will support creative tax incentives like the film and digital media tax credit, and I will work tirelessly to preserve and protect the jobs at Barksdale Air Force Base.

As a business leader, I wanted you to read my business plan.  I hope you’ll agree that it makes sense and saves dollars.  And I hope I can count on your support at election time.  Let’s turn this economy around!

You can download the full plan by clicking here.

Alexandria, VA – The 60 Plus Association, a national non-partisan senior citizens group announced today that Jeff Thompson, candidate for State Representative of District 8, has won the Association’s Honorary Guardian of Seniors’ Rights award. Legendary entertainer Pat Boone, spokesman for the 60 Plus Association, called Thompson a “fighter for the elderly.” “I’m still singing at concerts, but today I am singing the praises of Jeff Thompson.”

“Jeff Thompson will be a tax cutter, protecting the pocket books of senior citizens. 60 Plus calls on over 7 million seniors nationally for support, including nearly 115,000 seniors in the Pelican State, so I believe I can speak on behalf of seniors when I say that they can count on Jeff Thompson. Clearly, seniors will have no finer friend in the 8th District of Louisiana than Jeff Thompson.”

The Association’s Guardian Award is presented to members of Congress based on their “senior friendly” voting records. The Honorary Award is given to those running for state and federal office and is based on their views on seniors’ issues.

Previous award winners include Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, U.S. Senator David Vitter and U.S. Reps. Steve Scalise (R-1st), Jeff Landry (R-3rd), John Fleming (R-4th), Rodney Alexander (R-5th), Bill Cassidy (R-6th) and Charles Boustany (R-7th).

In announcing their support, LOGPAC president Don Briggs writes of Jeff Thompson, he “has the ability and desire to stand up against those that wish to do us harm and will provide support to our industry in your district, parish, and state.” The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association represents hundreds of businesses and thousands of Louisianans who have jobs in the energy sector.

“Having the support of an organization that represents such a vital part of Louisiana’s economy is great,” said Thompson. “Protecting Louisiana’s oil and gas industry is critical to creating better jobs for our families and prosperity for our community. Every day in Baton Rouge, my job will be to fight for the jobs of this district.”

The endorsement resulted after consideration of Thompson’s professional experience, as well as his civic involvement and leadership. “I look forward to working with those in the oil and gas industry to find new tax incentives to help promote the energy economy,” Thompson added.

Jeff Thompson has long been active in the Bossier community serving as the current Chairman of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation and is a past President of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff Thompson lives in Bossier City, LA where he and his wife Toni raise their two children, Lillie and Rowe.

Today our state doesn’t face an economic challenge; it faces an economic crisis. The Obama economy? Failed.  Unemployment?  Still climbing. Taxes?  Through the roof, hurting businesses, and killing jobs.

As a former president of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Bossier Economic Development Foundation, I know that the big government, bureaucracy and union bosses are bad for the economy. The only way to turn the economy around is to turn entrepreneurs loose.  My goal as your State Representative will be to fight for small businesses every day in the State Legislature. Here is my plan for creating economic growth in Bossier.

First, I will fight for jobs. I will support lower taxes on businesses, offering and extending tax credits and incentives to help grow businesses and jobs in our state. And I will fight hard to eliminate the bureaucratic red tape and corruption that have become synonymous with doing business in Louisiana. I will fight for tax incentives that create jobs, like the tax credit for the film industry. Did you realize that in 2008 and 2009, the average economic impact of this film tax credit was $710 million? But in 2010, this number increased to $1.08 billion.  In other words, that one tax incentive has led an increase of over 50%.  That’s one way we start to get our economy turned around.

Second, I will fight for less government. I will oppose special interests and union bosses every single day. I will support any and all efforts to cut waste, fraud and abuse from the government to lower taxes for the people.  Our tax system is too complicated, punishes business, and hurts families. We need to overhaul what we give our government and how we want it spent.

Third, I will fight for Louisiana’s oil and natural gas interest and the expanded gas development right here in Bossier. This is not only an economic issue, it’s a security issue.  Why does our country import so much energy from the Middle East when we have oil and natural gas right here in the Haynesville Shale? We need to provide tax incentives to help gas companies produce the gas and hire local workers. I will strongly support the severance tax investment incentive.

Economists estimate that for every dollar the state of Louisiana gave up via the horizontal well severance tax investment incentive it gained $2.94 in revenues to the State Treasury. In fact, it’s estimated that in 2010, the state gave up $125.3 million, but it gained $367.7 million.  That is just smart business to increase total revenues by almost $250 million dollars when government gets out of the way. We need more tax incentives like this to help our natural gas industry.  Natural gas is good for our local economy and good for our national security.

So that’s part of my plan for the people of Bossier: lower taxes, less government, more energy production. Unfortunately, that’s not the way the big government and union bosses want our economy to work. They want to tax us, regulate us and subsidize us rather than getting out of the way and watching us go. If elected to serve in the state legislature, I will not only value the votes of the people of Bossier, but I will vote the values of the people of Bossier. I will fight big government and bureaucracy.And I will fight for the entrepreneurs and small business leaders who know how to create jobs.

The people of Bossier deserve a leader who will stand up for their interests and speak up for their principles.  That is what I will do every day: fight for you, your business, your family, and your jobs.  We need our state government to stop wasting our tax dollars and get out of the way so our businesses and families can get to work and get our economy moving again.  If you agree, I would be honored to have your support and I hope you will contact us and get involved in our efforts today by joining our Facebook page or volunteering for our campaign.

Thank you,

“Our message is clear; big government and massive spending has hurt our economy and our families are suffering. I’ll use my business and economic development experience to create good jobs and that starts by getting government out of the way,” said Jeff Thompson.

“The response to our conservative pro-business message as we have been going door-to-door has been tremendous. Launching our media campaign is the next step to reach even more people as we charge toward the October election.” Thompson added.

Jeff Thompson has long been active in the Bossier community serving as the current Chairman of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation and past President of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.

Thompson is a past president and current member of the Board of Directors of the Bossier Parish Community College Foundation; a member of the Eagles and the Military Affairs Council supporting the efforts of the men, women and families stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base; served as Bossier District Director for the Norwela Council of the Boy Scouts of America; and is a strong supporter of hunting and Second Amendment rights as a member of numerous hunting advocacy organizations and the National Rifle Association.

Jeff Thompson lives in Bossier City, LA where he and his wife Toni raise their two children, Lillie and Rowe.

To see Jeff Thompson’s TV ad click here

To listen to Jeff Thompson’s radio ad click here