Gary Chambers in 2022 LA Senate race
On Budget & Economy:
Has been an advocate for Biden's Build Back Better plan
Chambers has long been aligned with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. He has vocally supported the Green New Deal, Medicare for All and a $15-per-hour minimum wage.In recent months, he has been an advocate for
President Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan, which has stalled in Congress but would greatly expand the Child Tax credit, provide free early childhood education and devote billions of dollars to combating climate change while raising corporate taxes.
Source: WRKF 89.3 FM (NPR) on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Jan 11, 2022
On Civil Rights:
Regrets using "homo" in 2011 tweet, now in different place
In a 2011 tweet, he used the word "homo." He said he didn't know why he wrote that but now believes it was wrong. "It's a word I don't use at this point anymore,"
Chambers said. "I was at a totally different place in life. I hope people don't judge me on something I said in my early 20s."
Source: The Times Picayune on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Mar 1, 2021
On Drugs:
Smoked marijuana in campaign ad to promote legalization
Chambers released an ad showing the candidate smoking marijuana while promoting a pathway toward legalizing the drug. "I hope this ad works to not only destigmatize the use of marijuana, but also forces a new conversation that creates the
pathway to legalize this beneficial drug, and forgive those who were arrested due to outdated ideology," Chambers said in the ad.
Source: CBS News on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Jan 18, 2022
On Drugs:
More than half of drug arrests for marijuana possession
[On the War on Drugs]: "Every 37 seconds, someone is arrested for possession of marijuana," Chambers says. "Since 2010, state and local police have arrested an estimated 7.3 million Americans for violating marijuana laws, over half of all drug arrests,"
he says."Black people are four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana laws than white people," Chambers continues. He adds that: "most of the people police are arresting aren't dealers, but rather people just like me."
Source: The New York Post on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Jan 18, 2022
On Energy & Oil:
Supports Green New Deal as good for environment, jobs
One of Chambers' main talking points is his support of the Green New Deal, which is anathema to many people in Louisiana, who fear it will decimate the state's oil and gas industry. Chambers sees it as an opportunity to improve the
state's abysmal environmental rankings--the district includes so-called Cancer Alley--and create jobs for such burgeoning industries as electric, solar and wind.
Source: The Times Picayune on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Mar 1, 2021
On Environment:
Increase penalties for emissions violations
Chambers' platform contains the most detail and argues for the need to increase financial penalties for emissions violations,
engage affected communities in regulation, and calls for more federal funding to assist the state environment department.
Source: The Guardian on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Mar 20, 2021
On Health Care:
Supports extending Medicare coverage to everyone
A political newcomer has posted an online video ad certain to draw more attention and, perhaps, campaign donations--it shows him smoking marijuana while decrying racial disparities in arrests for the drug. In an interview,
Chambers said he doesn't expect the ad to define his campaign, which includes support for President Joe Biden's legislative agenda, and extending Medicare coverage to everyone.
Source: WNYT-13-NBC (Albany NY) on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Jan 18, 2022
On Homeland Security:
Cut military budget to pay for Medicare for All
He wants to make health care universal through Medicare for All. Asked how to pay for the costly government program, he said, "Take money from the military.
I'm not saying we don't need a good military or police officers. But the resources being spent there could be better spent."
Source: The Times Picayune on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Mar 1, 2021
On Immigration:
Open to abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
If he does make the runoff, Chambers, who has been labeled a "firebrand" and a "provocateur," will face accusations that he is too far out of the political mainstream. Chambers is open to abolishing U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement--the federal agency that deports immigrants in the country illegally--and he led street protests against the police killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Source: The Times Picayune on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Mar 1, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023