ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JEREMY ALFORD is an author and independent journalist based in Baton Rouge, La. He is the co-author of both Long Shot, which recounts Louisiana’s 2015 race for governor, as well as the forthcoming The Party Is Over: Louisiana Politics in the 21st Century, a political compendium that will be published by LSU Press in 2021. Jeremy is the editor and publisher of LaPolitics Weekly and The Tracker, Louisiana’s oldest trade publications for elected officials, lobbyists, donors, and campaign professionals. His byline appears regularly in The New York Times and his work has been featured in The Dallas Morning News, Associated Press, and Campaigns & Elections magazine. He is a political analyst for several Louisiana television outlets and has served as a commentator for CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, C-SPAN, and NPR. 

E. L. “BUBBA" HENRY wrote a memoir that served as the inspiration for The Last Constitution. He is the former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He has the distinction of being the only speaker to succeed himself in modern history, and in 2012, he was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield. Practicing in government relations, Bubba possesses keen insight into the complex relationships between local, state and federal governments, and has a reputation as one of Louisiana's most successful and influential lobbyists. He served as a member in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1968 to 1980, and he was House Speaker from 1972 to 1980. In 1973, he chaired the Constitutional Convention, and in his first term in the Legislature, he worked with a group of younger members who advocated reform. Called the "Young Turks," the group urged major changes in how the Legislature operated, including creating decorum in the House, removing lobbyists from the House floor, and bringing accountability to the appropriations process. They blazed a trail that led to a new state Constitution in 1973 and reforms impacting state government. Bubba served as Commissioner of Administration for the State of Louisiana from 1980 to 1984. During this appointment, he was responsible for the daily operation and management of state government. As Commissioner, he pushed to fruition the plans and blueprints for the State Capitol Complex and the consolidation of state offices within the Capitol environs. Bubba has served as Partner in Charge of the Adams and Reese Baton Rouge office and on the firm's Executive Committee. He is the firm's voting member and past Chair of the State Capitol Law Firm Group.