
Joseph Cao
Republican | Louisiana
Candidate Profile
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joseph Cao
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Dist. 1
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Tulane University, New Orleans, Ph.D, -2004
Loyola University, New Orleans, Jurist Doctor, -2000
Fordham University, New York City, Master of Arts, -1995
WORK & MILITARY
Cao Law Firm, Senior Attorney
Tulane University, Adjunct Professor
Loyola University, Adjunct Professor
LSU Health Science Center, Guest Lecturer
Louisiana BESE Board, District 1, Member, -2025
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)
William "Bill" Cassidy (2024)
John Neely Kennedy (2017)
National Republican Senatorial Committee (2017)
John Cornyn (2014)
National Republican Congressional Committee Joint Campaigns (2010)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (61)
Cynthia Lummis (2022)
Voice for Freedom PAC (2014)
Billy Nungesser (2013)
Brett Guthrie (2013)
Grover Joseph Rees (2013)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
American Association for Justice (2010)
Americans for the Arts (2010)
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (2010)
National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2010)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
What role should the school serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy?
Schools should counsel students with unwanted or crisis pregnancy and refer them to organizations that would help to preserve and protect life.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
The Ten Commandments should be displayed in public school buildings or court houses.
Strongly Agree
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
NATIONAL SECURITY
I support boycott, divestment, and/or sanctions (BDS) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Disagree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
It must be the duty of the individual to make sure that he or she has a livable income.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
I support taxpayer funding of public education from Pre-K through college.
Disagree
I support taxpayer funding of public education from Pre-K trough 12.
Abortion and gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Disagree
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): American History, Art & Music, Civics, Critical Race Theory, Foreign Language, Gender Identity, Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Political Activism, Science, Sexuality, Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning
1. Language Arts 2. Mathematics 3. Science 4. American History 5. Art & Music 6. Physical Fitness 7. Vocational Learning 8. Information Technology 9. Civics 10. Personal Finances 11. Foreign Language
Which should students have: equity of outcomes or equality of opportunities?
Equality of opportunities
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am pro-2nd Amendment
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
Never
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
VALUES
Children have the right to be protected from sexual grooming including drag shows, explicit materials in schools and libraries, and other public venues.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a devout Catholic.
If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- abortion methods and side effects; abstinence; consent; contraceptive methods; human anatomy/the reproductive system; physical and emotional health outcomes; sex acts and pleasures of sex; sexual orientation and gender identity; stages of pregnancy and fetal development
Did not answer
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
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