Chris Justin to Qualify for Public Service Commissioner, District 1 as an Independent

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — February 11, 2026
Media contact: media@votechrisjustin.com

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Chris Justin, a licensed professional engineer, small business owner, and energy policy expert, officially announced his campaign on February 11, 2026, to run for Public Service Commissioner, District 1 as an Independent (No Party) candidate. Justin will improve affordability and reliability via a three-part plan:

• Make utilities fix our grid and water systems before allowing any rate increases
• Ensure data centers pay for 100% of the infrastructure they require, and
• Ban the pay-to-play practice of utilities funding the Commissioners that regulate them

The race will be for an open seat in a district eager for a Commissioner to hold utility companies accountable. Justin has already demonstrated early momentum, raising nearly $100,000 to date in support of his Independent campaign.

Justin has pledged to not take money from utility companies, and his campaign will monitor and report utility contributions throughout the cycle to track the monopoly utilities attempting to buy influence over the regulators who oversee them.

Justin brings more than 15 years of experience in engineering, small business development, and regulatory policy. He currently serves as an Energy Policy Consultant with Emergent Grid Solutions, where he advised the Louisiana Public Service Commission to reduce costs for ratepayers via improved energy efficiency programs, cost-effectiveness standards, and stricter oversight of third-party administrators. He pushed to eliminate waste, such as the ~$12.8M Louisianans are forced to spend annually on utility “ghost charges.” At every step, he worked to protect the hard-earned dollars of Louisiana families and businesses.

Beyond his technical expertise, Justin is deeply rooted in the community he will serve. He and his wife, Katie, are raising three children, Rowan (6), Hazel (4), and Juniper (21 months), who attend Hynes Charter School in Lakeview. Justin is an active volunteer with the Hynes PTO and coaches youth basketball, giving him ample opportunity to hear how rising energy costs and worsening grid reliability affect families’ day-to-day lives.

“Monopoly utility companies haven’t been doing their job,” Justin said. “Our electric grid is falling apart, failing every time there’s wind or rain. To fix it, we need an independent regulator who’s not in the pockets of utilities. Someone who isn’t afraid to say ‘no’ when they demand another blank check. I’m running because I’m sick and tired of watching Louisianans get stuck with terrible deals approved in backroom meetings. I’m asking you to join me and together we’ll finally hold utilities accountable.”

Justin qualified under Louisiana’s new election and ballot access laws, which updated the requirements for Independent candidates seeking statewide and district-level office. Under the state’s new closed primary system, Independent candidates must collect at least 1,000 voter signatures within the district they seek to represent. Justin exceeded that threshold, submitting more than 1,200 signatures from no-party voters across Public Service Commission District 1, which includes parts of Jefferson, Livingston, Orleans, and St. Charles Parishes, as well as all of Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parishes.

Chris Justin will officially qualify in Baton Rouge alongside his wife on Friday, February 13 at 11 AM.

Learn more about Chris Justin and his platform at votechrisjustin.com.

About Chris Justin

Chris Justin is a licensed professional engineer, small business owner, and energy policy expert with extensive experience advising regulators, public agencies, and businesses on energy systems and policy. He is running as an Independent to deliver real results for families through lower energy costs and stronger accountability for the utilities that serve them. Justin lives in New Orleans with his family and is a candidate for Public Service Commissioner, District 1.