Kip Holden

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Melvin L. "Kip" Holden (born August 12, 1952) is the Democratic Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The parish includes the state capitol of Baton Rouge and smaller suburban cities like Baker and Zachary. He was elected the city's mayor on November 3, 2004. He unseated the Republican incumbent, Bobby Simpson, even as President George W. Bush and Congressman Richard Baker were winning in East Baton Rouge Parish. Holden was inaugurated on January 3, 2005.

Holden's election is significant in that he is the first African-American Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish. His election was made possible on account of the support of his African-American base in the city's core, but also with substantial support from suburban white voters, many being Republicans. Support from the latter group was buoyed by the support of Jim Bernhard, CEO of The Shaw Group, and other leaders in business and industry in the Baton Rouge area, but largely a result of severe dissatisfaction with the performance of Mayor-President Simpson. This was demonstrated in dramatic fashion by the fact that President Bush received 54 percent of the parish vote in his re-election campaign and Congressman Baker received 69 percent. Holden in the same election secured 54 percent of the parish vote.

Previous to his political career, Holden became known as a journalist and later an attorney.

Holden has been married over 20 years to Lois Stevenson Holden and has five children; Melvin II, Monique, Angela, Myron, and Brian-Micheal.

[edit] Professional history

• Louisiana State Senator, District 15

• Southern University School of Law - Baton Rouge, Louisiana Adjunct Professor of Law (1991-Present)

• Louisiana House of Representatives State Representative, District "63", (1988- 2001)

• Councilman, Baton Rouge Metro Council District "2" (1984-1988)

• Louisiana Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

La Clerk

• Baton Rouge City Police - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Public Information Officer

• United States Census Bureau - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Public Relations Specialist

• WBRZ Channel 2 - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Reporter, (1978-1979)

• WWL Radio - New Orleans, Louisiana

Reporter, (1977-1978)

• WXOK Radio - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

News Director, (1975-1977)

[edit] Education

• Southern University School Of Law - Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Juris Doctor, (1985)

• Southern University - Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Master of Arts, Journalism, (1982)

• Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Bachelors of Arts, Journalism, (1974)