John E. Atkins

Republican | Louisiana

John E. Atkins websites Facebook

Candidate Profile

John E. Atkins — Public Service Commission, Dist. 5 (Louisiana Republican Primary | May 16, 2026)
Public Service Commission, Dist. 5 Louisiana Primary | November 3, 2026
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Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA, B.S., Geology, 1983-1987

University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, M.A., Geology, 1987-1989

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Evanston, IL, Master of Managment, 1993-1995

WORK & MILITARY

Conoco Inc, Geophysicist, 1989-1993

A. T. Kearney, Management Consulting, Consultant, 1995-1997

McKinsey & Company, Management Consulting, Consultant, Engagement Manager, 1998-2022

Louisiana Timber Partners, Partner, 2004-2026

AFFILIATIONS

Centenary College of Louisiana, Member, Board of Trustees, 2008-2026

Military Affairs Council of Shreveport-Bossier, Member & Past President, 2006-2026

Barksdale Forward, Inc (Barksdale AFB Advocacy Group), Member & Current Chairman of Board, 2016-2026

Committee of One Hundred of Shreveport-Bossier, Member & Past President, 2006-2026

Southfield School Endowment Board, Member & Current Chairman of Board, 2016-2026

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Caddo Parish Commissioner, District 9, 2016-2026

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Louisiana Public Service Commission, District 5, 2026-2026

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (4)

John Kennedy

Republican Party of Louisiana LAGOP

Bossier Parish Republican Party Executive Committee RPEC

Caddo Parish Republican Party

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)

U.S. Senator John Kennedy

Republican Party of Louisiana

Republican Party of Caddo Parish

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (79)

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2026)

Mike Rogers (2026)

State Republican Party Organizations (2026)

Bruce Westerman (2025)

John E. Atkins (2025)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)

Pivotal PAC (2026)

Four Corners PAC (2025)

John E. Atkins (2025)

Thomas Pressly (2025)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)

Cleo Fields (2024)

Chris Turner (2018)

Mary Landrieu (2013)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Choose not to answer

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Choose not to answer

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Choose not to answer

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Choose not to answer

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Choose not to answer


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I support a minimum wage, established at the state level, which sufficiently rewards workers for the results of their labor, but is sufficiently manageable to sustain a vigorous employment rate and employment opportunities for young/newly employed

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

1) Utilize fresh new technologies to detect improper or fraudulent government payments 2) Reduce government procurement costs by incentivizing government employees to identify and contract with the lowest cost provider of goods/services 3) Set clear goals & milestones for government programs and track performance against those goals & milestones. If an organization consistently falls short of key metrics, funding should be cut or eliminated.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

I believe that government should not be allowed to establish an official religion or require that citizens practice a particular faith. However, I do believe that prayer should be allowed in government proceedings and Divine Guidance should be sought by the individual members of government.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Neutral

I do not fully understand this question....


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Strongly Disagree


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

As a candidate for Public Service Commissioner, I am concerned about the possible risks to the electric grid associated with equipment manufactured in China and other U.S. adversaries. I am concerned that this foreign-made equipment may contain hidden "cut-off switches" that could be activated by our enemies in times of conflict and cripple the electrical system of the United States.

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes, I view Israel as a key ally to the United States.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Strongly Disagree

I do not believe that undocumented persons living in the United States illegally should have a refuge within the United States. They should be deported using safe and humane methods.


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Choose not to answer

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Agree

If foreign governments are allowed to fund American education, they will have influence over American educational content and policies. This should not be allowed.


VALUES

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

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Choose not to answer

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Choose not to answer

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a Christian man who believes in God, the Holy Spirit, and our Lord Jesus Christ. My wife and I attend church together and say our prayers together regularly. I believe that God and Faith are the key components of a strong family and a strong country. However, at times I falter. I pray for additional Grace, Mercy and Faith on a daily basis.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

I believe that photo identification should be required at the voting booth.


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Choose not to answer

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


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Disagree

The geologic record confirms that the climate has always been changing....I think that it is naive to think that we can manage future global temperature to within X degrees....

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

In the state of Louisiana, gas turbines have proven to provide the lowest-cost and most-reliable electric power. However, I am open to any generation technology that can keep our energy prices low and grid reliability high.


ABOUT YOU

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

I would describe myself as a "Solid Conservative"

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

The criminal justice system of the United States should promote public safety, protect the innocent, apprehend suspected criminals, establish the truth through lawful procedures and punish the guilty. Throughout this process, the constitutional rights of both the victim and the accused must be protected.

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

I believe in the Constitutional Right to Bear Arms. I do not support additional restrictions on gun ownership.

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