Dixon McMakin

Dixon Wallace McMakin is a Republican representing House District 68 in the Louisiana Legislature, which encompasses East Baton Rouge Parish. He is a 39-year-old lifelong resident of Baton Rouge and was elected to the legislature in November 2023, becoming eligible to serve through the 2032 term.

McMakin is the son of Regina and Steve Hatcher and Wally and Andrea Clesi McMakin. His father, Wally McMakin, was an LSU baseball star in the 1970s. He attended Jefferson Baptist Day School and St. Aloysius School before enrolling at Catholic High School, where he lettered in three sports and served as Student Body President. He founded the CHS-SJA Challenge Day, which has raised more money for the Baton Rouge Food Bank than any other event in the organization's history.

Beyond his legislative duties, McMakin serves as the public address announcer for LSU's Tiger Stadium, a position he assumed in 2026, and is the radio play-by-play commentator for Catholic High football. He has worked as a public address announcer for LSU volleyball and softball games since 2020.

Education

McMakin completed his undergraduate education at Louisiana State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in General Studies in 2009. He continued his graduate studies at LSU's Flores MBA Program and the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, graduating in 2013 with a dual J.D./M.B.A. degree.

After graduation, he passed the Louisiana State Bar Exam and obtained his FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses.

Political Experience

McMakin's legislative career began in January 2024 following his election in November 2023. His voting record is characterized as extremely conservative, even for his right-of-center district, making him a key ally of state leadership and increasing his influence within the Republican supermajority legislature.

One of his first legislative achievements was filing and passing a proposal to remove privacy protections over personnel records for all public employees in Louisiana, which lawmakers approved overwhelmingly. This legislation aimed to remove roadblocks for records related to investigations into public employee misconduct.

His other legislative interests include conservative proposals such as calling a constitutional convention and phasing out the individual income tax—proposals that have largely stalled—as well as more successful initiatives restricting panhandling and forbidding people without legal status in the United States from obtaining Louisiana driver's licenses.

Professionally, McMakin works as a financial advisor for Altus Wealth Management, a licensed insurance broker for Altus Benefit Solutions, and the sole attorney of The McMakin Law Firm, PLLC. He is an active member of the Baton Rouge community, serving as commissioner and parishioner at St. Aloysius Parish Church and holding various leadership roles in local civic organizations.