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|alma_mater=St. Augustine High School (New Orleans)<br>

|alma_mater=St. Augustine High School (New Orleans)<br>

University of New Orleans<br>

University of New Orleans<br>

[[Troy University]]}}

Troy State University}}

'''Austin Joseph Badon, Jr.''' (born December 14, 1964), is an [[African-American]] educational administrator in his native [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], who is a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] former state representative for District 100 in Orleans Parish. First elected in 2003, he was term-limited in the 2015 state elections.<ref name=ajb>{{cite web|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2024 (Orleans Parish)|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=July 29, 2020}}</ref>

'''Austin Joseph Badon, Jr.''' (born December 14, 1964),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/austin-badon/e30142097178|title=Austin Badon|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=July 29, 2020}}</ref> is an [[African-American]] former educational administrator in his native [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], who is a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] former state representative for District 100 in Orleans Parish. First elected in 2003, he was term-limited in the 2015 state elections.<ref name=ajb>{{cite web|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2024 (Orleans Parish)|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=July 29, 2020}}</ref>

==Background==

==Background==

Badon won his second term in 2007 over another New Orleans Democrat, Catherine Pleasant, 3,845 votes (72 percent) to 1,497 (28 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.</ref>

Badon won his second term in 2007 over another New Orleans Democrat, Catherine Pleasant, 3,845 votes (72 percent) to 1,497 (28 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.</ref>

In 2010, Badon ran unsuccessfully for the District E seat on the New Orleans City Council.<ref>f>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, March 6, 2010.</ref> He was unopposed for his third term in the House in 2011.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>  

In 2010, Badon ran unsuccessfully for the District E seat on the New Orleans City Council.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, March 6, 2010.</ref> He was unopposed for his third term in the House in 2011.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref>  

Badon served on the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and the Democratic Caucus. Badon is chairman of the House Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Committee and sits as well on the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee.<ref name=ajb/>

Badon served on the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and the Democratic Caucus. Badon is chairman of the House Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Committee and sits as well on the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee.<ref name=ajb/>

|title=Austin J. Badon Jr.'s Ratings and Endorsements|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=July 29, 2020}}</ref>

|title=Austin J. Badon Jr.'s Ratings and Endorsements|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=July 29, 2020}}</ref>

   

   

In 2014, Badon voted for the requirement that  [[abortion]] providers have hospital admitting privileges near their clinics; only five House members opposed the measure. That same year, he co-sponsored but did not vote on final passage of the issue of extending the time for implementation of the [[Common Core]] State Standards Initiative. He voted to forbid the transportation of dogs in open truck beds on[interstate highways. He voted to [[repeal]] the anti-sodomy laws; the measure failed in the House, 27-67.<ref name=votingrecords>

In 2014, Badon voted for the requirement that  [[abortion]] providers have hospital admitting privileges near their clinics; only five House members opposed the measure. That same year, he co-sponsored but did not vote on final passage of the issue of extending the time for implementation of the [[Common Core]] State Standards Initiative. He voted to forbid the transportation of dogs in open truck beds on interstate highways. He voted to repeal the anti-sodomy laws; the measure failed in the House, 27-67.<ref name=votingrecords>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/35410/austin-badon-jr#.VUJ9YfnBzGc|title=Austin J. Badon, Jr.'s Voting Records|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=July 29, 2020}}</ref>

{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/35410/austin-badon-jr#.VUJ9YfnBzGc|title=Austin J. Badon, Jr.'s Voting Records|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=July 29, 2020}}</ref>

   

   

In 2013, Badon sponsored the reduction of penalties for the possession of [[marijuana]]. He opposed lifetime concealed carry gun permits and the use of such permits in restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages, but he opposed making information on weapon permits part of the public record. He voted against an increase in judicial pay and abstained on the matter of ending the mandatory retirement age for judges. He voted to prohibit the use of telephones and hand-held devices while driving. He supported state tax incentives to recruit a [[National Basketball Association]] team to Louisiana. He voted for state [[income tax]] deductions for taxpayers contributing to scholarship funds. Badon co-sponsored [[parole]] eligibility for non-violent offenders. He opposed reducing the number of hours that polling locations remain open. Louisiana has traditionally had 14-hour polling days. He voted to establish a commission to develop alternatives to the state income tax. He opposed the requirement for drug testing of welfare recipients. In 2011, he voted for a permanent [[cigarette]] tax. He backed legislation that year which attempted to halt [[bullying]] in public schools; the measure failed in the House, 43-54.<ref name=votingrecords/>  

In 2013, Badon sponsored the reduction of penalties for the possession of [[marijuana]]. He opposed lifetime concealed carry gun permits and the use of such permits in restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages, but he opposed making information on weapon permits part of the public record. He voted against an increase in judicial pay and abstained on the matter of ending the mandatory retirement age for judges. He voted to prohibit the use of telephones and hand-held devices while driving. He supported state tax incentives to recruit a [[National Basketball Association]] team to Louisiana. He voted for state [[income tax]] deductions for taxpayers contributing to scholarship funds. Badon co-sponsored [[parole]] eligibility for non-violent offenders. He opposed reducing the number of hours that polling locations remain open. Louisiana has traditionally had 14-hour polling days. He voted to establish a commission to develop alternatives to the state income tax. He opposed the requirement for drug testing of welfare recipients. In 2011, he voted for a permanent [[cigarette]] tax. He backed legislation that year which attempted to halt [[bullying]] in public schools; the measure failed in the House, 43-54.<ref name=votingrecords/>  

In 2014, Badon introduced HB 199 to add new discrimination protections under state law for age, disability, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation. "This is really about basic human rights. People should not be discriminated [against] for anything," Badon said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/lgbt-legislation-in-louisiana/Content?oid=2329169|title=LGBT legislation in Louisiana: Jeremy Alford on gay rights bills being introduced in Baton Rouge|publisher=''Gambit: The Best of New Orleans''|author=Jeremy Alford|accessdate=May 1, 2015}}</ref>

In 2014, Badon introduced HB 199 to introduced HB 199 to add new discrimination protections under state law for age, disability, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation. "This is really about basic human rights. People should not be discriminated [against] for anything," Badon said.<ref>Jeremy Alford, "LGBT legislation in Louisiana," ''Gambit: The Best of New Orleans,'' accessed May 1, 2015; material no longer accessible on-line.</ref>

In May 2015, Badon introduced a similar measure to guarantee that individuals seeking employment or housing are "treated equally" regardless of "sexual orientation or sexual choice, age or disability." Badon that said his constitutents support the measure. He also criticized [[Governor]] [[Bobby Jindal]] for support of the religious freedom measure pushed by then state Representative [[Mike Johnson]]], a [[Republican Party|Republican]] from Benton in Bossier Parish who was elected [[U.S. Representative]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcbd.com/story/29026863/rep-austin-badon-wants-to-end-discrimination-based-on-sexual-orientation|title=Rep. Austin Badon wants to end discrimination based on sexual orientation|author=Meg Gatto|date=May 11, 2015|publisher=KCBD-TV ([[NBC]])|accessdate=May 11, 2015}}</ref>

In May 2015, Badon introduced a similar measure to guarantee that individuals seeking employment or housing are "treated equally" regardless of "sexual orientation or sexual choice, age or disability." Badon that said his constitutents support the measure. He also criticized [[Governor]] [[Bobby Jindal]] for support of the religious freedom measure pushed by then state Representative [[Mike Johnson]], a [[Republican Party|Republican]] from Benton in Bossier Parish who was elected [[U.S. Representative]] for Louisiana's 4th congressional district in 2016.<ref>Meg Gatto, "Rep. Austin Badon wants to end discrimination based on sexual orientation," KCBD-TV ([[NBC]] in [[Lubbock]], [[Texas]]), May 11, 2015; material no longer accessible on-line.</ref>

 

 

In 2023, Louisiana [[Republican Party|Republican]] Governor-elect [[Jeff Landry]] appointed the Democrat Austin Badon to become the assistant to Dan G. Casey, the Commissioner of the Office of Motor Vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/gov-elect-jeff-landry-names-new-heads-to-the-office-of-motor-vehicles/ar-AA1lrPDk?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=a6713008445e4d6490bd91df9cc76c29&ei=35|title=Gov-Elect Jeff Landry names new heads to the Office of Motor Vehicles|publisher=WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge|accessdate=December 13, 2023}}</ref> Badon campaigned for Landry in the primary election held on October 14, 2023.

==References==

==References==