Chauna Banks brings Baton Rouge experience and a community-first vision to congressional race

Former Metro Councilwoman seeks to take her record of public service, education and neighborhood advocacy to Washington.

BATON ROUGE, La. — With Louisiana's 6th Congressional District preparing to elect a new representative, Chauna Banks is making a case that experience in local government, a commitment to education and an understanding of neighborhood needs should have a place in the nation's capital.

A former East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Councilwoman and longtime education professional, Banks is seeking to bring a community-centered approach to Washington as one of 10 candidates competing for the congressional seat in the Nov. 3 election.

For Banks, the campaign is an opportunity to build on years of public service while advocating for the communities, families and working people whose concerns often extend beyond the boundaries of local government.

Her candidacy comes during a significant political transition for Louisiana's 6th Congressional District. Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the state's congressional map, Louisiana returned to its 2022 district boundaries for the 2026 election. The changes reshaped the political composition of the district and created an open-seat contest after U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields decided to pursue another office.

A foundation built on public service

Banks brings more than a decade of experience in local government to the congressional race. She represented District 2 on the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council from 2013 through 2024.

During her time in public office, she gained firsthand exposure to the issues that affect residents every day, including infrastructure, neighborhood development, public services and economic opportunity.

Her professional background also includes approximately 20 years in education, providing her with an understanding of the challenges facing students, families, educators and communities.

That combination of government and education experience forms an important part of her campaign message: public policy should produce meaningful improvements in people's lives.

Rather than viewing economic development, education and infrastructure as separate concerns, Banks presents them as interconnected pieces of a stronger community.

Connecting economic development to everyday families

One of Banks' central priorities is ensuring that Louisiana communities benefit from the economic development occurring around them.

She supports attracting data centers, technology companies and emerging industries to the state, recognizing the opportunities these investments could create as artificial intelligence and other technologies transform the economy.

However, she believes economic development agreements should include tangible benefits for residents.

Her approach emphasizes local hiring, workforce training, educational partnerships, infrastructure improvements and opportunities for small businesses.

Banks has also raised questions about the impact large industrial developments can have on electricity and water resources. She wants communities to have a voice in decisions that could affect household utility costs and the availability of essential resources.

Her position reflects a broader economic philosophy: Louisiana should welcome investment while making certain that residents are participants in its benefits.

Education as an economic development strategy

With her extensive background in education, Banks sees schools, colleges and workforce development programs as essential to Louisiana's long-term economic future.

She supports strengthening public education, expanding access to affordable higher education and increasing opportunities for technical training, apprenticeships and career preparation.

Her vision recognizes that the changing economy will require workers to develop new skills, particularly as artificial intelligence and automation reshape traditional industries.

For young people, that means creating pathways from the classroom into meaningful careers. For adults already in the workforce, it means providing opportunities to learn new skills and remain competitive.

Banks' message places education at the center of economic mobility, emphasizing that a person's opportunities should not be determined by the neighborhood in which they grow up.

Protecting Louisiana's land and communities

Environmental protection, property rights and coastal restoration are also part of Banks' congressional platform.

Louisiana's vulnerability to hurricanes, flooding, coastal erosion and severe weather makes federal investment particularly important to the state's future.

Banks supports coastal restoration, wetlands protection, flood mitigation and stronger infrastructure.

She has also expressed concerns about carbon-capture projects that could affect private property owners, particularly when eminent domain is involved.

While recognizing the potential role of emerging energy technologies, she believes projects should undergo meaningful environmental and safety reviews and that landowners deserve consideration and protection.

Her approach seeks to balance economic development with responsible stewardship of Louisiana's natural resources.

Health care, infrastructure and disaster recovery

Banks also wants federal policy to address the everyday pressures facing Louisiana families.

Access to affordable health care, reliable infrastructure and effective disaster assistance are among the issues she has identified as important to the district.

Having served in local government, Banks understands that federal decisions frequently determine whether communities have the resources necessary to recover from disasters, repair infrastructure and expand public services.

She has called for improvements to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a more accessible disaster recovery process for residents.

For communities that have endured repeated flooding and hurricane damage, the ability to receive timely federal assistance can make a significant difference in how quickly families and businesses recover.

A crowded race with an opportunity for a new direction

Banks is competing against nine other candidates, including Democrats Pat Forbes and Lindsay "Rubia" Garcia, as well as six Republicans and Libertarian Rufus Craig.

The Louisiana Democratic Party endorsed Garcia, while former Gov. John Bel Edwards endorsed Forbes. Banks is building her own campaign around her public service experience and policy priorities.

The Republican field includes state Sens. Rick Edmonds and Blake Miguez, both of whom received endorsements from the Louisiana Republican Party.

Despite the crowded field, Banks has an opportunity to introduce herself to voters who may be encountering her congressional campaign for the first time.

Her challenge is to communicate how her experience in Baton Rouge translates into effective representation at the federal level.

More than a congressional campaign

For Baton Rouge, the race represents an opportunity to examine the kind of leadership residents want representing their interests in Washington.

The next representative will face decisions involving federal funding, education, health care, transportation, disaster preparedness, economic development and Louisiana's coastal future.

Banks is presenting herself as a candidate who understands how those issues affect communities at the local level and believes federal policy should reflect the needs of the people it serves.

Her campaign brings together three recurring themes: education as a pathway to opportunity, economic development that benefits local residents and government that remains accountable to the communities it represents.

As voters prepare for Nov. 3, Banks is asking them to consider not only where Louisiana's 6th Congressional District has been, but where it can go.

For the former Metro Councilwoman, the goal is to carry the experiences and concerns of Louisiana communities beyond City Hall and into the halls of Congress.

Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to a Dec. 12 runoff.