Representative Barbara Carpenter

Barbara West Carpenter is a college official and state legislator in Louisiana. She works at Southern University and is an alumnus from Capitol High School in Baton Rouge and Southern University. She is a member of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus.

Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S., she is a member of the Democratic Party. She has been a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 63rd district since 2015.

Education: Carpenter received a Bachelor of Science in vocational education and general science and a Master of Education in secondary education and administration from Southern University. She went on to earn her PhD in adult and occupational education and international education from Kansas State University.

Career: Carpenter is the dean of international education and university outreach of Southern University. In the Louisiana House of Representatives, Carpenter serves as chair of Labor and Industrial Relations Committee. She is a part of the Capital Region Legislative Delegation, the Democratic Caucus, the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, and the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus.

She assumed office on January 11, 2016. Her current term ends on January 10, 2028. Carpenter ran for re-election to the Louisiana House of Representatives to represent District 63. She won in the general election on November 18, 2023.