An effort to oust the chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party made a giant leap during Saturday's party elections.
Party chair Katie Bernhardt lost her bid for reelection to her Lafayette-based central committee seat. Bernhardt, who has been party chair since 2020, lost to challenger Madeleine Brumley Clavier by a 64-36 margin.
Despite the loss, Bernhardt could still hold onto her party leadership post. The Louisiana Democratic Party's constitution and bylaws do not require the party chair to be a member of the state central committee. This means Bernhardt could seek reelection to that post when the committee holds its first meeting later this spring.
Progressive members of the Louisiana Democratic Party are seeking to remove Bernhardt as chair following a series of major electoral losses during her four years at the party's helm, including last year's governor's race.
