A Look at Parish Republican Party

GOP Is Governed by 17-Member Committee Elected by Republicans
BATON ROUGE — Under state law, the Republican Party in each parish is governed by a Parish Executive Committee, or PEC, which is elected by the Republican voters of the parish at the time of the state’s Presidential Primary every four years.
In East Baton Rouge Parish, the PEC has 17 members — 12 elected from each of the 12 Metro Council districts, and five elected at-large parishwide.
The members of the EBR PEC for 2012-2016 are as follows:
At-Large Members
•    Elizabeth Dent, chairman of Taxbusters and widow of Fred Dent;
•    Rev. Tommy French, retired pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church and former president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention; he is Vice Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party.
•    Woody Jenkins, editor of Central City News and a 28-year member of Louisiana House of the Representatives;
•    Dr. Dan Kyle, former Legislative Auditor and Treasurer of the Louisiana Republican Party; and
•    Judge Darryl White, retired Chief Judge of Baton Rouge City Court and chairman of Retired Judges of America.
Members elected from Metro Council districts are:
•    Jerry Arbour, attorney and member of East Baton Rouge School Board;
•    Connie Bernard, member of East Baton Rouge School Board;
•    John Coghlan, member of Zachary City Council and official at Exxon;
•    Ryan Cross, LSU student who serves as Republican chairman for City of Baker, son of former Sen. Mike Cross;
•    Dr. Karla Doucet, physician and anesthesiologist;
•    Richie Edmonds, realtor and chairman of Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon;
•    Jay Lindsay, retired businessman and owner of Jay’s Donuts;
•    Sen. Dan Richey, former state senator who works with Louisiana Family Forum;
•    Jr. Shelton, realtor and Republican chairman for Central;
•    Col. Phil St. Amant, retired U.S. army colonel in intelligence;
•    Dr. Charles R. Thomas III, former LSU football player, teacher, and coach; currently executive director of Family Values Research Institute; and
•    Linda Thomas, Baton Rouge businesswoman
In March 2012, the PEC elected officers for a four-year term: Woody Jenkins, chairman; Connie Bernard, vice chairman; Ryan Cross, secretary, and Dan Richey, treasurer.
For more than 40 years, the members of the PEC have met before each election to interview candidates seeking their endorsement.  All of the work of the PEC is done in open, public meetings.  However, endorsement votes are by secret ballot.  The stated reason for secret balloting is to select the best candidate without pressure or fear of intimidation by candidates or their supporters.
The PEC meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Metro Council chamber.