Washington Parish Republican Women held their July meeting with two special guest speakers, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain and Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, both on the ballot for the upcoming fall elections.

Strain was elected to serve as commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry in 2008. He is presently serving his second four-year term as commissioner.

A native of Covington and raised on a cattle farm, Strain earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from LSU in 1983. In 1999, he was elected to the first of two terms as a state representative.

Caldwell was elected as Louisiana’s 43rd and 44th attorney general and serves as the state’s chief legal officer. Prior to being elected, he served as district attorney for 29 years representing the 6th Judicial District. In 1973, he received a law degree from Tulane Law School.

Also present was Kathy Edmonston, BESE District 6 candidate for the October primary election. She has a B.A. in English from LSU and has 21 years experience in the public schools advocating for parents and children, particularly those with special needs.

Recent guest speakers have been District Attorney Warren Montgomery, attorney general candidates Marty Maley and Jeff Landry, gubernatorial candidate Scott Angelle, lieutenant governor candidate Billy Nungesser and Leslie Landry with Mary Byrd Perkins in St. Tammany.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Maria’s Restaurant, at noon.

The guest speaker will be Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, who is a candidate for governor in the upcoming fall elections. The public is invited to come and hear what Dardenne has planned for Louisiana’s future.