Marcus Hunter

Marcus Lamar Hunter
Louisiana State Representative from District 17 (27 precincts in Ouachita Parish)
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2012
Preceded by	Rosalind D. Jones
Personal details
Born	(1979-01-03) January 3, 1979 Monroe, Ouachita Parish Louisiana, USA
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Single
Alma mater	Southern University Southern University Law Center
Occupation	Lawyer
Religion	Baptist

Marcus Lamar Hunter (born January 3, 1979) is an American politician and second generation attorney from Monroe, Louisiana. Often called "one of the most dedicated legislators in Northeast Louisiana”, Hunter has dedicated his young life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building a more unified district. A member of the Democratic Party, Hunter is a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives - House District 17 which encompasses the cities of Monroe, West Monroe and towns of Richwood & Bawcomville. Elected in 2011, Hunter initially served on the Civil Law, Insurance, and Labor Committees and in only his second year, Hunter was assigned to the powerful Commerce Committee.

Background

A lifelong resident of Monroe, Louisiana, Hunter was raised on the principles of faith, family and education. The son and grandson of "homegrown" entrepreneurs, Hunter spent many of his childhood years in Richwood, Louisiana and attended public schools in Monroe, Louisiana. As a young boy, he was inspired by activism and was often moved by the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and other social activists whom he would often hear about while listening to conversations with his grandfather, father and uncles. It was in those pivotal moments, he made a decision to become “a man of the people, for the people”. Hunter has remained at the vanguard of progressive social movements and the human rights struggle in Northeast Louisiana.

A graduate of Julia C. Wossman High School in Monroe; Hunter received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology (2002) from the prestigious Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a Juris Doctorate (2005) from The Southern University Law Center, also in Baton Rouge. After being admitted to the Louisiana Bar Association, Hunter opened a small business, United Title of Northeast Louisiana and is partner at the Hunter and Associates Law Firm, practicing law alongside his father and brother. Hunter remains committed to ensuring that small businesses receive the resources necessary to grow and prosper, and continues to build on a record of bringing people together around tough challenges and delivering results that improved people’s lives. He also remains a strong advocate for the people of his district and believes taking care of home makes community better.

Dedicated to life of service, Hunter's public service started at a young age, volunteering for the Northeast Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, Helping Assist Multiple Purpose Community Organizations (HAMPCO) and SCORE Senior Center in his hometown of Monroe. Hunter firmly believes that substantive service empowers the community and working together teaches us all how to solve problems as they emerge. Service also allows us to expand our worldview and builds empathy, independence, resilience, and humility...essential elements required in making a positive difference in the lives of others. Additionally, Hunter is an advocate for ethics in government and community preservation.

Political life

Continuing to heed the call to serve, Hunter successfully ran for the Louisiana House of Representatives District 17 seat, in the general election held on November 16, 2011. Hunter defeated a large field of candidates inclusive of seasoned politicians and businesspersons to become the first State Representative of the newly drawn District 17. The district includes twenty-seven precincts in Ouachita Parish.^[1] This diverse district is composed largely of shopping malls, restaurants, hotel districts, three hospitals - Glenwood, St. Francis, & E.A. Conway, as well as other major corporations within the Monroe/ West Monroe area. Additionally, Hunter has been instrumental in many important issues in the legislature. With his support of the Rainy Day Fund, fight to keep taxes down, and eliminate unpredictable contingencies and the reliance on non-recurring revenue for ongoing expenses, his focus has been on making responsible decisions to address the state’s $165 million deficit from fiscal year 2012-13 and $1.2 billion shortfall for 2013-14. As a result, Hunter has worked steadfastly to decrease total spending by $1.3 billion and matched nearly all of the non-recurring revenue originally placed in the budget with one-time expenses. Hunter proudly participated in one of the most historic legislative moments as the House of Representatives unanimously passed the state’s budget, an event that only occurred as a result of cooperation, compromise and listening carefully to all ideas.

^[2]Hunter is ranked 21 percent cumulatively by the interest group, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, but he garnered a 67 percent rating in the 2013 legislative session.^[3] Representative Hunter also has an A+ rating with the Teachers unions in Louisiana (LAE/LFT) and has fought hard for equal education, healthcare, and infrastructure for the citizenry of the State of Louisiana. Although a north Louisiana legislator, Hunter has also been very active in his role in lobbying Congress to modify the Biggert-Waters Act, Voting Rights Act, and PPACA so as to benefit the constituents of his district.

Hunter is also a member of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, Democratic Caucus and the Rural Caucus where he has worked tenaciously, overtly and covertly in bipartisan efforts to help the people of Louisiana. Hunter is also a current member of the Louisiana Democratic Party where he served as a was a delegate during the 2012 Presidential election cycle. He also currently serves as the 5th Congressional District Representative and also serves on the Executive Committee under the direction of current Party Chair Senator Karen Carter-Peterson. In December 2013, the Louisiana Bar Assoociation appointed Hunter to the House of Delegates for the 4th Judicial District Court.

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