JEFFERSON PARISH DEMOCRATS ELECT JAMES C. SIMMONS JR. AS CHAIR FOR 2023-24
The Jefferson Parish Democratic Executive Committee has elected James C. Simmons Jr. of Marrero, a lifelong Democrat with decades of public service, as JPDEC chair for 2023-24.
Simmons grew up in Avondale and graduated from L.W. Higgins High School before getting his bachelor’s from Upper Iowa University and Master of Liberal Arts from Tulane. He’s working on his Doctorate of Education from Liberty University.
His father was founder of the Jefferson Parish NAACP and served as president for 15 years. Simmons said his father “used to tell me, ‘People need help, son.’ These words resonated within me, became the mantra of how I lived my life, and this is why I’m a lifelong Democrat.
“As chair, my goal is to move JPDEC onward and upward by fighting for equal justice, advocating for basic human rights and uplifting the disenfranchised of our communities. Why? Because people need help.”
Simmons succeeds Jeanne McGlory as JPDEC chair. He serves as program analyst and project manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Finance Center in New Orleans. He also worked for the Veterans Benefits Administration, served 31 years in the military in various capacities (10 years as chief of recruiting and retention operations for the Louisiana Air National Guard), and spent 29 years in law enforcement including a command role as captain of the 4thDistrict Reserve Division for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Among many community activities, Simmons represents District 3 on the Jefferson Parish Library Board, serves on the JP Charter Advisory Board and has mentored for Habitat for Humanity and the LA National Guard Youth Challenge program.
The Jefferson Parish Democrats also elected these vice chairs:
++ First Vice Chair Raven Lyons of Harvey to facilitate JPDEC’s endorsements of candidates and recommendations on any ballot issues.
++ Second Vice Chair Paul Anger of Metairie to oversee public and media relations, plus social media.
++ Third Vice Chair Michael Flowers of Harvey to take charge of fund-raising and the Jefferson Parish Democrats’ annual Blue Horizon Awards Dinner.
Other officers elected or re-elected: Dwan Hilferty of Metairie as treasurer, Peter Brigandi Jr. of Gretna as secretary, Ron Brown of Metairie as parliamentarian and Brandon Trudeaux of Gretna as sergeant-at-arms.
“This is another strong JPDEC officer group,” Simmons said, “and I’m excited to work with them – together, we’ll get a lot done.”
All officers will serve until March 2024. Hilferty, Flowers, Trudeaux and Lyons also serve on the Democratic State Central Committee.