Gwen Collins-Greenup heads to her third run off for secretary of state
For the third time, attorney and CPA Gwen Collins-Greenup faces a runoff to become the next Secretary of State.
Gwen Collins-Greenup says if she’s elected Secretary of State, securing elections, strengthening businesses, and protecting voting rights will be her focus.
For the third time, she has advanced to runoff in the general election. In October, Collins-Greenup secured19.2 % of votes while Nancy Landry gained 19.4%. Landry is a former state representative and served as Louisiana’s First Assistant Secretary of State.
On Nov. 18, voters will decide which one of them replaces Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin. The secretary of state is Louisiana’s chief election officer. Ardoin is stepping down following a final term where he faced debates around voter fraud and criticism surrounding how elections were administered in Louisiana.
During an interview with Nola.com, Collins-Greenup said her top issue is getting new machines with a paper record, which would allow a post-election audit. According to NOLA.com, she said “she would advocate for expanding early voting and increasing voter participation by bringing machines to schools and community centers to teach people how they work.”
“As an attorney, accountant, and small business owner, I've spent my entire career serving and protecting the rights of the people and businesses of Louisiana. From the boardroom to the courtroom, I've used my experience to develop policies, expand access, increase transparency, solve complex problems, and lead change,” she said.
The Clinton, La. native worked in the private sector for 20 years before founding Greenup Law, L.L.C., a law firm based in Baton Rouge. She has been a court director, deputy clerk of court, and legal secretary. In 2001, she became a Louisiana licensed title insurance agent. Earlier this year she was elected president of Baton Rouge Independent Title Attorneys.
In her private law practice, she represents people and businesses who have real estate transactions, financial legal matters, and civil litigation in Louisiana state and federal courts, including the United States Tax Court.
In 2018 and 2019, she advanced to the general election, losing to Ardoin 59-41% on both occasions. Early voting is Nov. 3 through Nov. 11 (excluding Sunday, Nov. 5 and Friday Nov. 10 for Veterans Day) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 18 is Election Day.