Rep. Willard delivers farewell address, cites consumer protections and maternal-health work

Representative Dominic Willard delivered a personal-privilege farewell address on Oct. 27, 2025, thanking family, staff and colleagues and reviewing legislative work from his six years in the Louisiana State Legislature.

Willard opened by acknowledging family members and staff in the chamber, including his father, Dominic Willard; his mother, Terry Willard; his girlfriend, Molly Ponds; and his legislative assistant, Courtney Moran. He thanked House staff and described learning the legislative process as a freshman, citing mentorship from colleagues including Stuart Bishop and Senator Sam Jenkins.

Willard reviewed policy work he described as highlights of his tenure: consumer-friendly homeowners insurance reforms developed through the Insurance Committee, stronger blight-enforcement laws in New Orleans and ending estimated water bills in that city, the creation of security districts after the COVID-19 pandemic, and efforts to support startups and capital access through a STEM innovation caucus. He said he had repeatedly filed maternal-health bills linking improved birthing outcomes to access to doulas and midwives and thanked individuals and groups who helped those efforts, naming Frankie Robertson, Jeff Drozda and David Laverne and the hospital association.

On his decision to leave the legislature, Willard said he had prayed about the next chapter and described a sign he took as confirmation that his time in the House was ending; he said he intends to continue public service "from inside of city hall," without specifying a particular office. Willard closed by expressing gratitude for six years of service and for colleagues across the chamber.

Separately, the chamber heard a personal-privilege remark from another member who said he had personally presented a resolution to the pope during a Vatican visit and had an autographed copy to show the House; that member thanked Tom Costanza of the archdiocese for assistance. The transcript identifies that remark as a personal-privilege presentation but does not name the member.

Why it matters: Willard summarized several policy areas where he said he had a direct role — homeowners insurance, water billing reform, blight enforcement, security districts, STEM and maternal health — and announced his transition out of the legislature while indicating continued public service at the city level. The remarks may factor into local political coverage of leadership changes and upcoming local campaigns.

What’s next: Willard did not specify a date or a particular city office in the provided transcript. The House continued with routine announcements and adjourned later that day.