Jefferson Parish Pulse: Councilman Scott Walker

On this episode of the Jefferson Parish Pulse, we interview Scott Walker, Jefferson Parish Councilman-at-Large for Division B. When Councilman Walker was elected to this new role last year, it was a top priority for his entire team to focus on transparency, honesty and accessibility – all things that he has kept in place throughout his first year in office.

Councilman Walker is a relative newcomer to the Council and it was an eventful year to start his career in politics. He came onto the scene during a global pandemic, which changed the priorities for the entire Parish before the first quarter of the year was even complete.

During this interview, Councilman Walker talked about the pandemic and its impact on his first year in office, some of the projects he’s most proud of, and the importance of spending local. He also discussed the future and what he hopes to achieve in 2021 and beyond.

About Councilman Scott Walker

Scott Walker was elected to the Jefferson Parish Council on October 12, 2019 after winning 56% of the Parishwide vote. As a political newcomer, Councilman Walker, a former TV news anchor, made waves in the Parish by spending less than $100,000 on his successful campaign. His campaign focused on open, honest and transparent government with a pledge to be accountable to those who put him in office – the people of Jefferson Parish. Councilman Walker believes in using technology to make government more efficient and helping build a Jefferson Parish of the future where generations to come can thrive in a “live, work, play” environment.

Councilman Walker, the oldest of three children, was born and raised in Metairie. He attended St. Angela Merici, Brother Martin High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. After graduating from college with a degree in Radio, Television and Film, Councilman Walker worked at TV stations in Hattiesburg, Jackson, Biloxi, Mobile and Orlando before returning home to New Orleans and WDSU-TV in 2009. He anchored newscasts there until July 2018 when he left a 23-year local news career to open a Media Consulting firm. Scott Walker Consulting | Scott Walker Media was formed to help individuals, CEOs, businesses and athletes refine their message, communicate it effectively and get noticed. Also in 2018, Councilman Walker, along with two partners, opened the first Shipley Do-Nuts location in Southeast Louisiana.

Before launching his Media Consulting firm, Councilman Walker was recognized numerous times over the years for his work in broadcast journalism. In 2016, Councilman Walker was honored with an Emmy award, his second, for the 30-minute documentary, “Steve Gleason: The Journey.” The documentary chronicled Gleason’s journey from football star to ALS diagnosis to the premiere of his feature-length film at the Sundance Film Festival. In January 2020, Councilman Walker traveled to Washington, DC to see Gleason receive a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed by Congress on a civilian.

During his TV career, Councilman Walker had a front row seat for numerous big events, including the Saints magical run to Super Bowl XLIV and the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. During WDSU’s extensive oil spill coverage, Councilman Walker made local and national headlines after his confrontation with private security guards trying to limit media access on Grand Isle beach. Councilman Walker brings the same desire to serve the public to his new role in Jefferson Parish.

Councilman Walker and his wife Jennifer have been married since 2000. They have two children, Jack and Beckett, and Oreo the dog. They reside in Metairie.

See his webpage here.
See Jefferson Parish website here.

Feel free to listen to the full interview below (or you can click here). You can also hear us anywhere you listen to your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. We would LOVE your feedback. Please send your thoughts, questions and show requests to Kelsey Scram at kscram@jedco.org.