As a longtime sugar cane farmer and business owner, Robert Allain III is now putting his hat in the ring to become the new state senator for District 21.

Allain said he hopes to work on Iberia and St. Mary parishes population loss if elected, as well as work on insurance reform, tax reform and education to make Louisiana competitive again.

Please give a brief summary of your professional career.

I am a sugarcane farmer by trade and have done that my whole life. I started my marine company from scratch a few years ago with a boat and barge that I designed and fabricated myself shortly before covid. I was able to navigate my young business and grow it during one of the hardest business periods in American history. I have been a commercial alligator hunter for the past 15 years. I have been an active member of the Republican State Central Committee for the past seven years.

Why did you decide to run for state senate?

Like many families, I watched both of my sisters get educated here and leave the state for better opportunities. I will never fault someone for wanting to better their opportunities, but I do believe those opportunities belong here in Louisiana, especially with all the resources we have here. I have two young daughters at home, and I don’t want to see them have to make the same decision my sisters had to make.

What issues in Louisiana do you plan to make a priority if elected?

Insurance reform, Tax reform and Education reform. In order to be competitive with our surrounding states, we must provide a safe, healthy and attractive climate to work, live and do business in.

What local issues in Senate District 21 do you plan to make a priority if elected?

All of the Louisiana issues above are also local issues. In particular, out migration is a huge issue that we face locally. Since the last census, Iberia Parish had the 7th largest population loss and St. Mary Parish had the 2nd largest population loss. We are shrinking our base when we should be expanding it. Our population loss is leading to a decrease in local revenue, less support for local businesses, and a less competitive insurance market. In order to be attractive and competitive, we must stop our population loss by making it affordable to live and work locally.