Hilferty has history of working on PSC issues
Current legislator seeking PSC seat led landmark reforms of the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board
Running for the Louisiana Public Service Commission seems like a natural choice for Stephanie Hilferty.
As a state representative, Hilferty has made issues affected by the PSC among her top priorities.
Now, she’s running for the state PSC District 1. Her opponents in the May 16 Republican primary are Wallace “Wayne” Cooper, John Mason, Mark Wright and John Young. Connie Norris is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Eric Skrmetta (R-Metairie) is running for U.S. Senate.
Early voting is scheduled May 2-9.
On both her campaign Facebook page and campaign website, Hilferty emphasizes her commitment to keeping utility costs low for Louisiana’s energy consumers.
“As a mom of young children, Stephanie understands how much household budgets matter,” her campaign website says. “No family should worry every month about unpredictable utility bills, and in 2026, no one should fear losing power for weeks after a storm. …
“The Public Service Commission should be there for you, not the utility companies. I’m ready to bring accountability and fight for lower costs in District 1.”
Hilferty, 40, says she’s “running for the Louisiana Public Service Commission to put ratepayers first, hold utility providers accountable, and demand transparency and reliability from the companies that power our state.”
She has represented District 94 in the since 2016. She has served on the committees for commerce, education and municipal, parochial and cultural affairs. She also is a senior advisor at SRSA Commercial Real Estate. Her legislative district includes portions of New Orleans and Metairie.
As a legislator, Hilferty led landmark reforms of the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board, strengthened oversight and transparency, cracked down on unfair practices and saved ratepayers more than $20 million by correcting incorrect billing through legislation.
Hilferty also “secured funding for critical drainage and infrastructure improvements to strengthen storm response and protect neighborhoods” and “redirected unused state funds to launch long-awaited street and road repair programs.”
During the 2022 session, Hilferty sponsored House Bill 652, which recognized the Sewage and Water Board as a public utility, thus giving the New Orleans City Council powers to regulate it.
She also fought against unnecessary tax hikes and bloated bureaucracy in Baton Rouge, and she advanced early childhood education and quality childcare solutions, including securing funding and advocating for system enhancements.
And according to her House campaign website, Hilferty voted to lower taxes over 25 times in just one term.
“That same proven leadership is what Stephanie will bring to the Public Service Commission, serving as a watchdog for ratepayers, not a rubber stamp,” her campaign site says
In her 2023 legislative campaign, Hilferty was endorsed by Jefferson Parish Republican Party, Greater New Orleans Republicans, Orleans Parish Republican Executive Committee, LABI—SouthPac Political Action Committee, National Federation of Independent Business, The Alliance for Good Government and LA Family Forum Award.
“She has been an outspoken advocate who helped fortify our flood protection,” Hilferty’s campaign site says. “And when Sewerage & Water Board faltered, she wasted no time holding them accountable. Stephanie drafted legislation to begin the process of revamping the agency to ensure rapid response and better results when the next storm threatens. She secured funding to alleviate flooding on major roadways in and around Bucktown.”
The five-member Louisiana PSC primarily regulates utility companies along with a few other industries such as towing and moving van companies. Its members have the power to set rates for electricity and approve or deny large infrastructure projects such as new power plants and intrastate pipelines.
Her most prominent work involving utilities has been legislation aiming to bring accountability to the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. The state-created agency has a long history of frequent issues with drinking water quality, street drainage, sewage treatment and the power system that runs all three systems.
The District 1 seat represents large swaths of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, Livingston, Washington and St. Helena parishes.