State Sen. Larry Selders, a Baton Rouge Democrat who represented Louisiana’s 14th Senate District, died suddenly Tuesday evening at 44, prompting an outpouring of grief from across Louisiana politics and the Baton Rouge community. The Louisiana Illuminator reported that Selders collapsed while attending his son’s football practice. While no official cause of death had been immediately released, Selders had been recovering from a heart aneurysm earlier this year that required seven hours of surgery.
Selders is survived by his wife, Dr. Kendra Michael, and two sons, Larry and Luke. He had represented District 14 since 2025, after winning the special election to succeed Cleo Fields, who left the state Senate after being elected to Congress. Before that, Selders served in the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 67, beginning in 2021.
Selders’ public service was closely tied to Baton Rouge. He was a proud Southern University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work, and later founded Focused Family Services, a substance abuse and mental health rehabilitation clinic, as well as the Selders Development Group. He had also previously served on the Baton Rouge Recreation and Parks Commission.
The Louisiana State Senate mourned Selders as a colleague and friend, saying his “service, compassion, and dedication to Louisiana” would leave a lasting legacy. The Senate also asked the public to keep Selders’ wife, sons, and loved ones in prayer.
We mourn the passing of our colleague and friend, Senator Larry Selders. His service, compassion, and dedication to Louisiana will leave a lasting legacy. Please keep his wife, Kendra, their two sons, and loved ones in your prayers.#lalege pic.twitter.com/Np38yE9qYC
— Louisiana State Senate (@louisianasenate) July 8, 2026
Gov. Jeff Landry said he and First Lady Sharon Landry were “deeply saddened” by Selders’ death, calling him a “gentle giant” who was respected across political lines. Attorney General Liz Murrill also issued condolences, remembering Selders as kind, optimistic about Louisiana’s future, and committed to building a better state for his sons.
Louisiana’s congressional delegation also joined the tributes. U.S. Rep. Troy Carter said he had the privilege of serving with Selders in the Louisiana Legislature and remembered him as a man of integrity, compassion, and dedication to the people of Louisiana. U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, whose former Senate seat Selders filled, called him “a great man” whose loss would be felt across the state.
Inside the Legislature, Selders was remembered as both a friend and a serious public servant. Senate President Cameron Henry said Selders had an easy relationship with colleagues and described him as one of the happiest members of the Senate. Senate President Pro Tempore Regina Barrow called his death devastating and also described him as a “gentle giant.” Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Gerald Boudreaux said Selders worked to understand how to make an impact as a member of the minority party, saying Selders “wanted to know how to get things done.”
State Legislative Black Caucus Chair Candace Newell remembered Selders as a leader marked by integrity, quiet strength, and compassion. State Rep. Vanessa Caston LaFleur said Selders’ death was an immense loss for the Legislature and said he was “for the people and not the politics.” State Rep. C. Denise Marcelle said she had lost a dear friend and brother, calling Selders a “champion for justice, equity, and opportunity.”
Local leaders in Baton Rouge also responded. Mayor-President Sid Edwards called Selders “a man of the people” and said he was always willing to help move Baton Rouge forward. Former Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome remembered Selders as part of a new generation of leaders willing to step forward into public service. East Baton Rouge Parish Councilman Anthony Kenney called him a compassionate leader and statesman who was always willing to offer encouragement and wisdom.
Quentin Anthony Anderson, editor of The Bayou Progressive, who ran against Selders in the 2025 special election for Senate District 14, also remembered Selders as a warm and genuine presence even in the middle of a competitive race.
“Larry was everyone’s friend,” Anderson said. “Anyone who met Larry couldn’t help but like him, myself included. Despite meeting as political opponents in 2025, we quickly developed a natural rapport and camaraderie that I will cherish for the rest of my life. He was as real as they come, and my heart breaks for his family and the tremendous amount of friends and loved ones he leaves behind.”
East Baton Rouge Parish Schools Superintendent LaMont Cole issued one of the most personal statements, describing Selders as a friend of more than 20 years who had encouraged him throughout his academic, professional, and political journey. Cole said Selders had stood with him during both of his Metro Council victories, and that he had stood with Selders during his campaigns for state representative and state senator.
Southern University, Selders’ alma mater, said its system family joined Louisiana in mourning the loss of a devoted public servant and advocate. The university noted that Selders represented the district that includes its Baton Rouge campuses and said he understood Southern’s role in transforming lives and advancing the state.
The NAACP Baton Rouge Branch remembered Selders as a dedicated public servant whose work centered community, saying he carried the voices of District 14 with compassion and conviction. Lambda Kappa Kappa, the Omega Psi Phi chapter of which Selders was a member, said the brotherhood was “better because he was our brother.”
Funeral arrangements had not yet been announced as of Wednesday morning. This story will be updated as additional public statements and service details become available.