Republicans Win Two Louisiana Public Service Seats
Republicans Stephanie Hilferty and John Atkins won open Louisiana Public Service Commission seats, expanding the GOP majority on the five-member panel to four.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Utilities
Live Poll
Do you trust state regulators to keep utility companies' money from influencing their decisions?
Republicans John Atkins and Stephanie Hilferty won open seats on the Louisiana Public Service Commission, expanding the Republican majority on the five-member panel to four. Atkins defeated Democrat James Green in District 5 with 60% of the vote, ending a Democratic hold on that seat dating to 1974.
Why it matters
The commission regulates utilities in Louisiana, so a Republican majority will shape decisions affecting power and telecommunications companies. Atkins, who loaned his campaign $640,000, pledged not to accept contributions from the utilities he will regulate.
Atkins won 60% of the District 5 vote with 90% of ballots counted and loaned his campaign $640,000, while Hilferty took $27,000 from utility and telecom sources in District 1. Results were not yet fully certified, and the effect of the new majority on rate decisions remains unknown.
The players
John Atkins
A Republican from Shreveport who won the District 5 Public Service Commission seat and will take office in January.
Stephanie Hilferty
A Republican who won the District 1 Public Service Commission seat after representing parts of Orleans and Jefferson parishes since 2016.
Eric Skrmetta
A Republican who reached his term limit on the commission and has served as an undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Energy since July.
Davante Lewis
The lone Democrat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission, representing Baton Rouge.
The details
Atkins defeated Green, a Shreveport resident, in the 24-parish District 5 covering North Louisiana. Hilferty, who has represented parts of Orleans and Jefferson parishes since 2016, won District 1. Eric Skrmetta, a Republican who reached his term limit, has served as an undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Energy since July. Davante Lewis of Baton Rouge remains the lone Democrat on the commission.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Louisiana Public Service Commission elections held.
January: Atkins takes office, succeeding Foster Campbell in District 5.
February: Atkins qualified to run and pledged no utility contributions.
2028: Francis and Lewis face re-election.
2030: Coussan must run again.
Industry Landscape
Louisiana's 2008 voter-approved term limits for Public Service Commission members forced Eric Skrmetta's departure and opened seats that expanded the Republican majority to four of five. Control of the commission's rate and utility oversight therefore shifted through a structural rule rather than a single partisan wave.
Louisiana utility customers may see commission decisions on rates shaped by a Republican majority beginning in January. Atkins's pledge to take no contributions from regulated utilities is a stated commitment that residents can track in future filings.
The takeaway
Control of utility regulation in Louisiana can change through structural rules like term limits as well as through individual races, so voters and ratepayers should watch how the new four-member majority handles rate cases. The commission's decisions will affect household power bills directly.
What happens next
Atkins takes office in January, when the new commission composition will take effect.
Further reading
Explore more on Utilities coverage across Louisiana.
Live Poll
Do you trust state regulators to keep utility companies' money from influencing their decisions?
