Malinda Grace Brumfield White (born April 1967)[1] is an American businesswoman and a former Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. She previously ran as an independent and as a Democrat.

Malinda White
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from the 75th district
In office
January 11, 2016 – January 8, 2024
Preceded byHarold Ritchie
Succeeded byJohn Wyble
Personal details
BornApril 1967 (age 57)
Political partyRepublican (2022–present)
Other political
affiliations
Independent (2021–2022)
Democratic (until 2021)
Residence(s)Bogalusa, Louisiana, US
Alma materSoutheastern Louisiana University
OccupationBusinesswoman
Real estate agent

Political Career

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In the primary election held on October 24, 2015, White defeated fellow Democrat Chuck Nassauer, receiving 5,906 votes (54.8 percent) to Nassauer's 4,868 (45.2 percent), thereby securing the seat vacated by Harold Ritchie.[2]

On June 9, 2021, State Representative Alan Seabaugh of Shreveport accused White of threatening to shoot him during a dispute over a domestic-abuse bill under consideration. White later apologized, stating that she "made comments to him in the heat of the moment that she should not have".[3][4][5] White withdrew the bill the next day.[5]

Party Affiliation

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On July 1, 2021, White left the Democratic Party and switched her registration to "no party."[6][7] On June 14, 2022, she switched her party affiliation again, this time to Republican.[8]

Civic Involvement

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White has been actively involved in her community. In 2002, she became a certified facilitator of the Achieve Global Leadership Curriculum. She is a former member of the Bogalusa City Council and is the founder and chairwoman of the Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival. Additionally, White is a founding member of the Bogalusa Gospel Music Festival. Her civic engagements include membership in several organizations such as the Youth Service Bureau of Washington & St. Tammany Parish, Court Appointed Special Advocate, Washington Parish Poole's Bluff Nature Trail Advisory Council, the Bogalusa Parks, Recreational, and Culture Commission, the Bogalusa Civic League, the Washington Parish Fair Board, Cassidy Park Museums Board, Washington Parish Commission on Human Services, and Washington Parish Economic Development Foundation.[9][better source needed]

2023 Election

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White ran for Washington Parish President in 2023.[10] In the October 14, 2023 election, White placed second, advancing to the November runoff election, where she was defeated by Ryan Seal.[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ "Malinda White, April 1967". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved October 27, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Official Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015: State Representative – 75th Representative District". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Blake Paterson (June 9, 2021). "Lawmaker says colleague threatened him with gun violence, sidetracking domestic abuse bill". The Baton Rouge Advocate. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  4. ^ Canicosa, JC (June 10, 2021). "Rep. Malinda White pulls domestic abuse bill after she reportedly threatens colleague". Louisiana Illuminator.
  5. ^ a b Dubose, Adrian (June 11, 2021). "Bill expanding domestic abuse definition withdrawn after Capitol outburst". KTBS.
  6. ^ Alford, Jeremy [@lapoliticsnow] (July 1, 2021). "Breaking: State Rep. @MalindaBWhite has switched from the Democratic Party to no party" (Tweet). Retrieved July 1, 2021 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ "Louisiana Democratic Party loses another state lawmaker". AP NEWS. July 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Alford, Jeremy [@lapoliticsnow] (June 14, 2022). "PARTY CHANGE: Rep. @MalindaBWhite has switched from Ind to GOP" (Tweet). Retrieved June 14, 2022 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Malinda White Announces Candidacy for Louisiana House". Mt. Hermon Broadcast Network. June 11, 2015. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  10. ^ "Malinda Brumfield White Announces Candidacy for Washington Parish President". Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  11. ^ Holdiness, Timothy (November 18, 2023). "Election Results: Washington Parish 2023". Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  12. ^ Holdiness, Timothy (October 14, 2023). "Washington Parish Full Election Results: October 14, 2023". The Bogalusa Daily News. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
Louisiana House of Representatives
Preceded by Louisiana State Representative for District 75
(St. Tammany and Washington parishes)

Malinda Brumfield White
2016–2024

Succeeded by