Matthew Willard

Matthew Willard
Member of the New Orleans City Council
from the at-large district
Position 1
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 12, 2026
Preceded byHelena Moreno
Minority Leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives
In office
January 8, 2024 – October 29, 2025
Preceded bySam Jenkins
Succeeded byKyle Green
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from the 97th district
In office
January 13, 2020 – January 12, 2026
Preceded byJoseph Bouie
Succeeded byEd Murray
Personal details
Born (1988-11-05) November 5, 1988 (age 37)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
EducationLouisiana State University (attended)
University of New Orleans (BS)

Matthew Willard (born November 5, 1988) is an American politician serving as a member of the New Orleans City Council since January 12, 2026. He previously served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 97th district.

Early life and education

Willard was born and raised in New Orleans. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from the University of New Orleans.

Career

From 2012 to 2016, Willard worked as an account executive at Schulkens Communications. He then joined Fluence Analytics, working as a growth specialist and later senior manager for marketing and communications. He was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in November 2019 and assumed office on January 13, 2020.

In December 2023 Willard was elected as leader of the House Democratic caucus.

Willard resigned from the Louisiana House in January 2026 after being elected to the New Orleans City Council.

Personal life

Willard is Catholic.

References

  1. ↑ "State Representative Matthew Willard". house.louisiana.gov. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Matthew Willard's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Matthew Willard". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Q&A with Rep. Matthew Willard: New La. House Democrats leader talks 2024 session". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  5. ↑ Curtis, Alyssa (January 12, 2026). "New Orleans City Council sworn in, shifts focus to confirmations, budget crisis". 4WWL. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Matthew Willard Announces Candidacy For District 97 Legislative Race". The Brylski Company. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  7. ↑ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2025.