Who Is Forest Bradley-Wright?

They say that when you face death you unburden your life. You toss the rules aside and begin to just live.

In my case, I’ve always tried to live with few rules and even fewer absolutes.

There are two absolutes that I do live by:

1). I believe in God. Don’t know if it’s a He or a She or Something Else, but I believe that God exists in some form.

2). I never trust a woman with three names.

I haven’t really thought long and hard about a man with three names. Now, there are men in Europe that have three names but, in America anyway, it is rare.

Which brings up the curious case of Forest Bradley-Wright.  There’s something about him that I don’t trust. Can’t put my finger on it but there is a gnawing in my stomach.

Wright is seeking the District 1 Public Service Commission seat currently held by Eric Skrmetta. 

The runoff is scheduled for December 6^th along with the Senate runoff between Mary Landrieu and Bill Cassidy.

And, that seems like a good place to start.

Since Wright was the closest thing that Democrats had in the D1 PSC race and since many of his staffers are Democratic operatives, it was no surprise that Wright received many Democratic votes. 

However, besting an incumbent like Skrmetta was a shock to many.

Wright, who was a Democrat for almost 20 years prior to his conversion to the Republican Party in May of this year, holds much in common with Mary Landrieu. In fact, several members of Wright’s inner circle are former Landrieu campaign staffers.

Wright’s primary fundraiser is a long-time Democratic operative who has raised money for scores of Orleans Parish Democrats including State Senator Karen Carter Peterson (one of those 3-named women I don’t trust), State Rep. Austin Badon, former Gubernatorial candidate Carolyn Fayard, Orleans Parish Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge Morell (another 3-named woman),  and State Senators J.P. Morrell and Ed Murray.  

What’s even more curious about Wright is that this isn’t his first run for a seat on the Public Service Commission. In 2012, Wright ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for the District 2 seat held by Republican Scott Angelle.

District 2 encompasses an area West of Metro New Orleans and includes Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Mary and Lafayette Parishes along several other parishes.

So, if Wright ran for the District 2 seat in 2012, why is he running for the District 1 seat in 2014? He must have moved, right?

Wrong. Wright doesn’t live in either District. His residence is, and has been, in a portion of Orleans Parish that is included in District 3.

And, who is the PSC Commissioner from District 3? New Orleans Democrat Lambert Boissiere.

Can’t go up against another Democrat and can’t win as a Democrat, so let’s just switch parties.

It makes you wonder why Forest Bradley-Wright is trying so hard to get a seat on the Public Service Commission and it certainly makes you question his motives.

Wright is an energy consultant who was employed by The Alliance for Affordable Energy.

According to their web site, The Alliance for Affordable Energy claims “our policy work meets at the crossroads of social justice, sustainable economic development, and environmental protection.”

“Social justice”? What does that have to do with the cost of your electric bill?

During his tenure, Wright’s claim to fame with The Alliance is that he created a monthly Solar Roundtable discussion group that led to the foundation of yet another association, the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industry Association.

According to the Council of Small Business, Louisiana’s Energy Cost Index in 2012 was 2^nd lowest in the nation, barely behind Arkansas.

We're finally good at something and a guy with three names who doesn't live in the District that he wants to represent wants to screw that up?

Since energy in Louisiana is already "affordable" isn't "The Alliance for Affordable Energy" really a group without a mission?

It is interesting that Nebraska, where Wright was born, is ranked 10^th and Oregon, where Wright lived prior to moving to New Orleans to attend Tulane, is ranked 33^rd.

Perhaps he should consider moving back to Oregon and lowering their utility rates before interjecting “Social justice” into our utility bills.

And, I would bet that there are far more Liberal Democrats in Oregon whose views are aligned with Wright’s than in the Conservative District 1 parishes of Jefferson, St. Tammany, Ascension, Livingston, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, Tangipahoa and Washington.

Can’t say that about Orleans Parish.

But hey, the PSC District where Wright lives already has a Democratic PSC Commissioner.