Dustin Granger

Dustin Granger was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana.[1] Granger earned a B.S. in business administration from Louisiana State University in 2002. His career experience includes co-owning Generation Wealth and working as a wealth advisor, the co-host of the Wealth by Design Podcast, and a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors.[1][2] Granger has been affiliated with the Coastal Conservation Association, the Arts Council of SWLA, the Community Foundation of SWLA, the NAACP, the SWLA HEC Civilian Corps, Calcasieu Parish, and the Alliance SWLA Chamber of Commerce.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

With almost two decades of experience as a financial advisor and investment manager, I've spent my career helping families navigate through financial crises like the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, and recurring hurricanes along our coasts. As a small business owner, I understand the importance of economic stability and fairness. My background equips me with the financial expertise needed to manage the state's finances responsibly and transparently.

My campaign centers on prioritizing the needs of everyday Louisianans. I aim to address our regressive tax system, unaffordable property insurance premiums, and the critical need for affordable housing. I also recognize the urgency of confronting climate change and investing in renewable energy to secure our state's future. If elected as State Treasurer, I will utilize my experience and dedication to advocate for policies that promote prosperity and resilience for all Louisianans. Together, let's work towards a better future for our great state.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Financial Fairness: I'm committed to reforming our regressive tax system, ensuring that working and middle-class families no longer bear a disproportionate burden. By ending giveaways to the wealthy and providing tax relief to everyday Louisianans, we can create a more equitable financial landscape, putting more money back into the pockets of hard working citizens.Investing in Louisiana's Future: I believe in prioritizing investments that benefit our communities, from affordable housing and climate resilience to renewable energy initiatives. These investments will strengthen our state and create jobs and opportunities for all, ultimately putting more money in the pockets of Louisiana residents while building a brighter future for our state.Supporting Underserved Communities: My campaign is dedicated to addressing historical disparities, especially in Black communities. I aim to ensure that every Louisianan, regardless of their background, has access to quality education, affordable housing, and economic opportunities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe we need tax reform to create a fairer system, policies that support affordable housing, investments in climate resilience and renewable energy, achieving racial equity in education and economic opportunities, and promoting financial transparency and accountability in government. These areas of public policy align with my core values and reflect my commitment to improving the lives of the people of Louisiana.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Investment for our future, protecting from storms and advising against bad policy like trickle-down economics

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

While I look up to a range of people, I was inspired to get more directly involved in politics by President Barack Obama. His handling of the 2008 financial crisis showed me how leaders have a direct impact on the lives of Americans.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Roosevelts, Documentary by Ken Burns

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, Courage, Respect, Empathy

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am the type of person that can get along with a wide range of people and empathize with them on various levels. My wife always laughs at the spectrum of people I get along with. Also, I always aim to do the right thing and am used to standing up for people and causes in need.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Making well-informed and sound financial decisions that take into account the challenges facing our state. Louisiana's economy and financial investment can’t not be based on climate change drivers. The state’s Treasurer needs to build a diversified portfolio that protects and expands Louisiana’s dollars.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I helped move Louisiana forward and always was a voice to the powerless and downtrodden

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Berlin Wall Falling when I was 9.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Worked at my local car wash in Sulphur. All through High School starting at 15.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in The Modern World; It changed my understanding of the world and how people thought for millennia in the variety of different cultures that have existed for thousands of years. Things don’t have to remain exactly how they are now.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Cool Hand Luke

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Getting past what people thought of me.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Advising the governor and legislature on economic policy to help our citizens

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Invest the state money and pensions; Chair the bond commission which finances projects across the state and advises the governor and legislature on economic policy

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Economics and and Finance and Taxes mostly

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Economics, Finance, Taxation and Financial Planning

Tell us your favorite joke.

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux jokes never get old.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Individuals: Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, Former U.S. Senator John Breaux, Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis, Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs, Civil Rights Activist Gary Chambers, Former U.S. Senate Candidate Luke Mixon, Political Strategist James Carville, Mayor of Bogalusa Tyrin Truong

Organizations: United Rural Democrats, Democratic Party Of Louisiana, Democratic Treasurers Association, Alliance For Good Government, Independent Women's Organization Of New Orleans, Louisiana AFL-CIO, Louisiana Federation Of Teachers, New Orleans Coalition, United Teachers Of New Orleans

Note: Granger submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on September 25, 2023.

Show past responsesHide past responses

June 20 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Dustin is a small business owner who has been a financial advisor and investment manager for nearly 20 years. He has dedicated his career to helping thousands of families navigate crises like the Great Recession, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the perennial hurricanes that have devastated our coasts.

Now, he’s ready to put that experience to good use for our entire state. As a life-long Louisiana resident and graduate of Sulphur High School and Louisiana State University, Dustin deeply understands our way of life and has the expertise we need to get our Louisiana economy back on track.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

It’s time for a better Louisiana. It’s time for the Louisiana of the future.Let’s embrace the technologies of the future and invest in a new Louisiana energy revolution.Honesty on the economy: For far too long, our state has not been managing its money well. We’ve been making bad investments by putting all of our eggs in the corporate Big Oil basket at the expense of our environment, our economy, and the opportunity for future generations to thrive here at home.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Embracing the technologies of the future and investing in a new Louisiana energy revolution with renewable infrastructure projects that bring sustainable, high-paying jobs. It’s a vision for Louisiana based on reality, not political ideology or backroom deals, and it’s exactly the type of smart investing I’ve used to help hundreds of families as a financial advisor for over two decades. And it’s what I want to do for all of Louisiana.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Investment for our future, protecting from storms and advising against bad policy like trickle-down economics

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

While I look up to a range of people, I was inspired to get more directly involved in politics by President Barack Obama. His handling of the 2008 financial crisis showed me how leaders have a direct impact on the lives of Americans.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Roosevelts, Documentary by Ken Burns

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, Courage, Respect, Empathy

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am the type of person that can get along with a wide range of people and empathize with them on various levels. My wife always laughs at the spectrum of people I get along with. Also, I always aim to do the right thing and am used to standing up for people and causes in need.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Making well-informed and sound financial decisions that take into account the challenges facing our state. Louisiana's economy and financial investment can’t not be based on climate change drivers. The state’s Treasurer needs to build a diversified portfolio that protects and expands Louisiana’s dollars.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I helped move Louisiana forward and always was a voice to the powerless and downtrodden

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Berlin Wall Falling when I was 9.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Worked at my local carwash in Sulphur. All through High School starting at 15.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in The Modern World; It changed my understanding of the world and how people thought for millennia in the variety of different cultures that have existed for thousands of years. Things don’t have to remain exactly how they are now.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Cool Hand Luke

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Getting past what people thought of me.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Advising the governor and legislature on economic policy to help our citizens

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Invest the state money and pensions; Chair the bond commission which finances projects across the state and advises the governor and legislature on economic policy

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Economics and and Finance and Taxes mostly

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Economics, Finance, Taxation and Financial Planning

Tell us your favorite joke.

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux jokes never get old.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

United Rural Democrats

Campaign website

Granger's campaign website stated the following:

Reverse Jindal-nomics

Problem: Louisiana's regressive tax system causes working and middle-class families, which represent 90% of citizens, to pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than millionaires and big corporations.

Solution: End the billion dollar giveaways at the top and provide tax cuts to families.

Preserve the Homestead Exemption and Expand Affordable Housing

Protect Homestead Exemption: It's under attack by Republicans who favor tax breaks for millionaires.

Invest in Affordable Housing: Use the Louisiana Bond Commission to support local projects.

End the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP)

Background: Currently, the ITEP program withholds hundreds of millions of dollars in vital revenue from our local communities, effectively operating as a corporate welfare rubber stamp.

Solution: To better serve our communities, ITEP should undergo a comprehensive restructuring. This transformation will ensure that ITEP exclusively benefits industries that prioritize economic diversification, offer long-term value, and uphold environmentally responsible practices, while simultaneously excluding those that fail to meet federal standards.

Climate Protection and Resilience Investments

Climate Threat: Climate change exacerbates hurricanes, flooding, and coastal land loss.

Proposed Programs:

Louisiana Property Insurance Stabilization

Utilize climate resilience and green bond issues to fund our needs.

Invest in People and Small Towns

Problems: We’ve sustained too many costly cuts to investments in our people, especially during the Jindal administration, and this trend continues today. People are the driving force behind our economy, but neglecting their needs leads to poverty, rural underinvestment, and youth migration from small towns.

Solutions:

Rural Financing and Revitalization: Ensure equitable access to financial services for small towns, reducing the prevalence of food and banking deserts, which attract predatory industries.

Healthcare: Protect Medicaid expansion and improve access to healthcare.

Social Welfare: Stop diverting TANF funds and simplify access for needy families.

Wages: Implement a living wage.

Quality of Life: Foster long-term regional plans and support electric vehicle infrastructure.

Restore Civil Liberties

Concerns: A strict abortion ban, gerrymandering, and laws restricting LGBTQ rights

Actions: Protect individual liberties to enhance business climate and retain talent.

Diversifying Energy for New Jobs

Current Landscape: Decades-long decline in fossil fuel jobs and corporate tax revenue.

Green Energy Initiatives: Prioritize projects using green bond issues for net-zero emissions.

Investment Strategy:

Leverage existing infrastructure and know-how for leadership in new energy.

End politically motivated bans on clean energy investments and banking restrictions at the bond commission that strip millions of dollars from local communities.

Reconsider bans on green energy, "responsible" investing, and large banks.

Let’s make sure we remain the nation’s energy leader for the next hundred years.

Insurance Relief Program

Problem: High property insurance premiums burden residents and strain household budgets.

Solution: Structural reforms, such as premium assistance, the establishment of a state reinsurance marketplace, and significant improvements to the Citizens Insurance Program, aimed at reducing property insurance premiums and providing much-needed financial relief to homeowners.

Empty the Unclaimed Property Vault

Background: Louisiana's Unclaimed Property Vault holds $1 billion, averaging $900 per person, which remains unclaimed due to bureaucratic obstacles.

Solution: Proactively streamline processes and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles to efficiently return this unclaimed property to its rightful owners, putting these funds back into the hands of Louisianans.

TOPS for Children

Background: Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a merit-based scholarship program benefiting Louisiana residents pursuing higher education. It covers various institutions, including public colleges, technical schools, proprietary and cosmetology schools, and independent colleges.

Plan: Enhance TOPS by offering a $3,000 starting contribution to every child's 529 education savings plan upon birth, ensuring accessible and affordable education and empowering families to invest in their children's future education.

AN AGENDA FOR BLACK LOUISIANA:

INVESTING IN A STRONGER, SMARTER, SUCCESSFUL LOUISIANA

Since statehood, Black Louisianans have built up the arts, culture, food, and economic opportunities in our state. History has shown that Louisiana has never returned the investment back to the Black community, and quality of life statistics show how the community has been left behind due to a lack of adequate state investment to build stronger communities.

Dustin Granger is running for Treasurer to make sure every Louisiana resident gets a return on their investments, and once elected, he'll utilize the Treasurer's office to address the issues Black Louisianans face most.[3]

—Dustin Granger's campaign website (2023)[4]

Dustin Granger did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Dustin Granger did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

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