Katie Bernhardt

American politician and businessperson

Katie Bernhardt

Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party
In office September 13, 2020 – April 13, 2024
Preceded by	Karen Carter Peterson
Succeeded by	Randal Gaines

Personal details
Political party	Democratic
Children	4
Education	University of Louisiana, Monroe (BA) Louisiana State University (JD)

Katie Bernhardt served as the chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party from September 2020 through April 2024.

Career

Bernhardt graduated from Louisiana State University Law Center.^[1] Bernhardt and her husband operate Standard Law in Lafayette, Louisiana.^[1] She served as a member on the Democratic state central committee and executive committee for four years.^[2]

In September 2020, Bernhardt was elected to a four year term as the chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party 127 to 51 against Lynda Woolard, a party organizer.^[2] She succeeded Karen Carter Peterson.^[2] Bernhardt campaigned on her ability to reverse the party's decline in the state and appeal to moderate and rural voters.^[3] She addressed the North and South divide in Louisiana Democratic politics.^[4] Bernhardt had aimed to modernize the party.^[1] She established the Louisiana Democratic disability caucus and the Democratic women's caucus.^[5] She has reinstituted groups for young Democrats.^[5]

In January 2023, Bernhardt signaled interest but did not officially announce that she would run in the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial election.^[6] Her political advertisement sparked criticism among some party members, prompting first vice chairman C. Travis Johnson to stepdown.^[7] She also faced calls to resign, mainly from progressives while other^[3] party members came to her defense.^[5] In February 2023, Bernhardt announced that she was not running in the gubernatorial election.^[8] She later announced her support of gubernatorial candidate Shawn Wilson.^[9]

In the subsequent elections the Democratic Party suffered significant defeats. These lead to more requests for resignation. At the April 2024 party meetings, due to a procedural error, Bernhardt was not nominated for State Party Chair, meaning she could not be re-elected.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Hilburn, Greg (August 26, 2020). "Lafayette's Katie Bernhardt poised to lead Louisiana Democrats after Ted James withdraws". The News-Star. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
^ ^a ^b ^c Hilburn, Greg (September 12, 2020). "Lafayette's Katie Bernhardt elected chair of Louisiana Democratic Party". The News-Star. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
^ ^a ^b Bridges, Tyler (January 29, 2023). "Chairs of both state political parties in Louisiana, under fire, facing calls to resign". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
^ Bayliss, Deborah (March 1, 2021). "Louisiana Democratic Party leader Katie Bernhardt talks party strategies". The Times. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
^ ^a ^b ^c Rosato, Chris (January 26, 2023). "Some La. Democrats call for party chairwoman to resign while others come to her defense". WAFB. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
^ Bridges, Tyler (January 23, 2023). "Katie Bernhardt, Democratic party chair, signals interest in running for governor". The Advocate. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
^ O'Donoghue, Julie (January 25, 2023). "Louisiana Democratic chair Katie Bernhardt says she's 'committed to uniting behind one candidate' for governor". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
^ Hilburn, Greg (February 13, 2023). "After viral shotgun video backlash, Katie Bernhardt out of Louisiana governor race". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
^ Bridges, Tyler (2023-04-01). "Katie Bernhardt, no longer facing challenge to her job, says Democrats face brighter days". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2023-06-05.