Eric Skrmetta
Republican | Louisiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Eric Skrmetta
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
Public Service Commission, Dist. 1
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, BS, 1981
Southern Univ Law School, Baton Rouge, LA, J.D., 1985
Tulane Univ Law School, New Orleans, LA, LL.M, 1986
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Knights of Columbus, member - 4th Degree, Dawn Busters Kiwanis
member, Jerusalem Shrine of LA, member - Noble
Comm of Bicentennial of Constitutionof US, member, Institute of Politics
fellow, FBI Citizens Academy, former member
Boy Scouts of America, former executive board member, South Sena Dr Civic Assoc
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Public Service Commissioner, 2009- present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative District 81, 2000
State Representative District 81, 2004
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Louisiana Republican Party (GOP)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Senator John Kennedy
Senator Bill Cassidy
Congressman Steve Scalise
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser
Attorney General Jeff Landry
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (9)
Bobby Jindal (2006)
Clyde C. Holloway (2014)
Mitt Romney (2013)
Republican National Committee (2013)
Scalise Leadership Fund (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
1. Ectopic Pregnancy 2. Advanced Uterine Cancer 3. Other immediate threats to the life of the mother
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
The primary goal is to grow our economy. Job growth follows. My goals during my service have been to drive down the cost of living in Louisiana. I have helped accomplish this by helping Louisiana achieve the lowest residential and industrial electricity rates in the country. Those rates are driving $119 Billion in new industry to Louisiana.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Reducing regulation, where possible, to allow the free market forces to drive a natural growth of economic success.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I would create a national market for insurance. Eliminating the current policy will drive prices down.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
The LGBTQ+ political agenda poses a threat to First Amendment freedoms of speech, expression and religious exercise.
Agree
I support expanding protections in employment and accommodations based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Disagree
If children are given instruction in sex education in public schools, it should not express a preference for abstinence but should be comprehensive, offering discussions on various types of sexual orientations and behaviors plus all types of contraceptives.
Disagree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
The short answer is jealousy. The founding fathers relied on the French theory of Montesquieu when developing the separation of powers. To create branches, jealous of their own powers, would limit the powers of other branches.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God. I believe in his son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit. I am a practicing Catholic. I have kept the faith in my family and raised my children within the church. It is my constant goal to follow the example of Christ in His life and to live my life accordingly.
ABOUT YOU
I voted in these elections:
2012 Primary, 2012 General Election, 2014 Primary, 2014 General Election, 2016 Primary, 2016 General Election, 2018 Primary, 2018 General Election
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Public Service Commission meetings are recorded and shown on the hometown network throughout the state. Transcripts of meeting and voting records are also available through the PSC. I have written the following articles. https://thehayride.com/2017/10/skrmetta-never-took-knee/ https://thehayride.com/2015/06/skrmetta-cost-matters-epa-trillion-dollar-rule-struck-down-for-now/ https://thehayride.com/2015/10/skrmetta-pray-for-a-miracle-work-for-change/ https://thehayride.com/2015/09/skrmetta-carte-blanche-for-our-veterans/
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
My degree in Industrial Technology from LSU has uniquely positioned me to understand the very technical nature of issues before the PSC. I am the only attorney on the Commission. I continually use my legal experience to understand issues as well as assist in drafting PSC policy. My experience as a Mediator and Arbitrator have also served me well when helping to resolve disputes between two parties. I have also used these skills to negotiate settlements which ultimately saved consumers money. My 12 years on the Commission has given me a wealth of institutional knowledge. I am well versed on all issues the Commission deals with. Finally, my expertise has garnered me national recognition as I sit on the Board of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and several subcommittees of that Board along with several Boards related to the Utility industry.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
eric@ericskrmetta.com 504-833-6791
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
- Led the charge to reduce utility rates from 9.44 cents per KW hour to 7.79 cents per KW hour making LA utility rates 35% lower than the national average - Reduced LA residential utility rates to the lowest in the nation - Led LA to the lowest industrial electricity rates in the US - Ordered utility companies to refund the corporations' savings from the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Benefit Act - Investigated and recovered $58 million in energy usage overcharges & converted the funds to consumer refunds - Saved ratepayers nearly $200 million in storm recovery charges - Strongly advocated for the expansion of broadband especially in underserved rural areas - Led the way to increase the amount of industrial scale solar generation in Louisiana - Shifted $58 million in construction costs of a cross-state new high voltage transmission line and substation from LA to Texas - Secured staging zones for utility workers to speed recovery following storms and hurricanes
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Strongly Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Gambling should be limited to existing forms and should not be de-regulated or expanded.
Agree
