By JIM BUTLER
If Rep. Jason DeWitt’s bill allowing colleagues to buy clothing with campaign funds becomes law they won’t have to buy off the rack.
Recently filed required reports show he and other Rapides members in the House with funds adequate to dress to the nines.
The reports note 2025 contributions to one or all from Political Action Committees coast to coast and expenses from Libuse to London.
Rhonda Butler
Butler, whose District 38 includes South Rapides, received contributions of $105,000; expenses were $40,000. Her year-end balance, including carry-over funds, was $141,000.
Contributions included a host of PACs, none more than $2,000. An overall PACs total is no longer required as part of the report.
Among Rapides contributors:
Pan American Engineers, $5,000; Roy O Martin, $3,000; Harper Planting Partnership, $2,000.
Contributors of $1,000 included Edwin & Alice Broussard, William G. Fontenot, David R. Gilchrist, V.G. Hart, Stephen & Debbie Head, Morty McKay, Frankie Rasberry, Sheriff Mark Wood.
Butler, chair of the Louisiana Rural Caucus and of the House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development Committee, was in Boston, Washington and London on legislature-related business, her report indicates.
Lodging and meals for the former two, in August, required about $1,800. No plane fare is claimed.
London in November required air travel – $1,800 (two tickets) and hotel – $3,000, which may include meal costs.
Among Butler’s other costs – $4,800, cumulative, for House-provided lodging in Baton Rouge and $3,000, cumulative,to Brendon Dubroc for campaign materials and social media management.
Jason DeWitt
DeWitt, whose District 25 includes parts of Northwest Rapides and Southwest Natchitoches, took in $82,000 and spent $43,000. His year-end balance was $58,000.
He is a member of Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development, as well as the Appropriations, Natural Resources and Environment Committees and the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.
According to his report, 2025 contributors included:
Shelton Energy Solutions, $6,000; Lane Grigsby, Naomi Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation, $5,000;
Pan American Engineers, Renewable Power & Fuel, $3,500; Sports Betting Alliance, NORPAC, $3,000; Jim’s South Butane & Propane, Sam Mahfouz, Robert Rayford Jr., $2,500;
Miriam Phillips, $2,000; Campaign to Elect Lee Rubin, Blake Chatlain, $1,500; Alexandria Health Care, $1,000.
DeWitt’s campaign expenses included a post-session retreat in July at Grand Hotel Resort, Point Clear, AL, $467; August legislative-related meeting, Marriott Washington, DC, $1,500 air and hotel; August meeting, L’Aubarge, Lake Charles, $360.
His expenses also included $2,500 Baton Rouge condo dues (cumulative); Rotary dues, $1,100 (cumulative); Food Bank donation, $2,900; and Captivate Minds Marketing, $15,700 (cumulative).
Thursday: Districts 26 and 27