Michael Echols
Michael Echols | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Majority Leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office December 11, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Wright |
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 14th district | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Jay Morris |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Charles Echols February 11, 1977 Bastrop, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | University of Louisiana, Monroe (BS, MBA) |
Michael Charles Echols (born February 11, 1977)[1] is an American politician from the state of Louisiana. A Republican, he represents the 14th district in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
Early life and education
[edit]Echols was born in Bastrop, Louisiana, and lives in Monroe. He earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Business Administration in business from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.[2] His professional background includes development, construction, healthcare, real estate and insurance.[2]
Political career
[edit]Echols served on the Monroe City Council from 2016 to 2020 and served as council chair.[3] He was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2019 from the 14th district and was listed by the legislature as a member elected for the 2024–2028 term.[4]
In the House, Echols represents part of Ouachita Parish. His committee assignments have included Health and Welfare, Labor and Industrial Relations, Ways and Means, the House Executive Committee, the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay. He has also served as chair of the Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation and as a member of the Louisiana Rural Caucus.[2]
On December 11, 2025, the Louisiana House Republican Caucus elected Echols as majority leader of the caucus. KNOE-TV reported that the position is responsible for coordinating the Republican legislative agenda on the House floor.[3]
Glenwood Regional Medical Center
[edit]In 2024, Echols and West Monroe Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell testified before the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions about Steward Health Care's management of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe, Louisiana.[5] In 2025, Echols authored House Bill 317, a bill related to accountability for hospital mismanagement after the Steward bankruptcy and the change in Glenwood's operator.[6]
2026 congressional campaign
[edit]On February 10, 2026, Echols announced his candidacy for Louisiana's 5th congressional district.[7] After Louisiana lawmakers changed the election schedule for the 2026 congressional race, the primary was set for November 3, with a runoff scheduled for December 12.[8]
References
[edit]- ↑ Bridges, Tyler (February 10, 2026). "State Rep. Michael Echols enters crowded Republican primary for Julia Letlow's House seat". NOLA.com.
- 1 2 3 "Michael Charles Echols". Louisiana House of Representatives. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- 1 2 Dufrene, Nick (December 11, 2025). "Representative Michael Echols named Louisiana House Majority Leader by Republican Caucus". KNOE-TV. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ "2023 Complete Elections Results - Louisiana Legislature". Louisiana State Legislature. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ "ICYMI: Northeast Louisiana Leaders Discuss Steward's Mismanagement of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in HELP Committee Hearing". United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. September 16, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ Torricelli, Jessica (June 3, 2025). "HB 317 aims to hold companies accountable for hospital mismanagement". KNOE-TV. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ Quigley, Charles; Andrews, Jenifer (February 10, 2026). "State Rep. Michael Echols announces congressional run". KNOE-TV. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ Mangum, Elijah (May 14, 2026). "Candidates weigh in on Louisiana's newly passed congressional map". KNOE-TV. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
External links
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- 1977 births
- 21st-century members of the Louisiana State Legislature
- Living people
- Louisiana city council members
- People from Bastrop, Louisiana
- Politicians from Monroe, Louisiana
- Republican Party members of the Louisiana House of Representatives
- University of Louisiana at Monroe alumni
- Louisiana politician stubs
