State Sen. Larry Selders, Champion for Baton Rouge Families, Dies at 44
According to reports, Selders collapsed Tuesday evening while attending an event. Additional details surrounding his death were not immediately available.
BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana has lost a rising public servant and passionate advocate for Baton Rouge with the death of State Sen. Larry Selders, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 44.
Selders, who represented Louisiana Senate District 14, was elected in a special election in 2025, becoming a voice for residents across Baton Rouge during a time of significant challenges facing working families, communities of color, and neighborhoods seeking greater investment and opportunity.
According to reports, Selders collapsed Tuesday evening while attending an event. Additional details surrounding his death were not immediately available.
Before serving in the Louisiana Senate, Selders built a reputation as a community advocate committed to improving the lives of everyday Louisianans. His public service reflected a focus on issues affecting families, education, economic opportunity, and strengthening communities that have historically been overlooked.
As an African American elected official in Baton Rouge, Selders represented more than a political office — he represented a generation of leaders working to ensure that Black communities had a seat at the table where decisions affecting their futures were made.
His election to the Senate marked another chapter in Baton Rouge’s long history of African American political leadership. For many residents, Selders’ presence in the Legislature symbolized the continued importance of representation and the responsibility carried by those who fight for communities that have often had to advocate for themselves.
Selders’ death at only 44 years old comes as a shock to colleagues, community leaders, and residents who saw him as a young leader with more work ahead of him. His passing leaves behind questions about the future of the Senate District 14 seat and a community mourning the loss of one of its advocates.
Tributes are expected from lawmakers, community organizations, and residents throughout Baton Rouge as they remember Selders’ commitment to public service and his dedication to the people he represented.
(This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)
