Biden appoints Louisiana Legislature Black Caucus Chair Ted James to Small Business Administration

President Joe Biden has appointed state Rep. Ted James (D-Baton Rouge) to serve as a regional administrator in the U.S. Small Business Administration.

James was among six others appointed to what the White House called “key regional leadership roles.” As the SBA’s Region 6 administrator, James will oversee district offices in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The district offices are the point of delivery for most SBA programs, providing service to the local small business community.

The news release said the appointments are consistent with Biden’s commitment to build a diverse administration and “critical to the President’s efforts to rebuild communities most impacted by the pandemic, the economic recovery, and climate change.”

James was first elected to the Louisiana House in November 2011 and serves as chairman of the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee and chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. Outside of the legislature, James is an attorney and director of operations for the Baton Rouge office of the Urban League of Louisiana.

James said he intends to step down from his legislative position in January and will hold a press conference on his departure next week. The Legislature meets for its special session on political redistricting in February.