About The Pelican Brief

The Pelican Brief is a podcast about Louisiana government, politics, public policy, and elections.

Hosted by David Tatman, the program examines the decisions and events shaping Louisiana—from legislative debates and executive actions to court cases, campaigns, and elections.

Our purpose is straightforward: to give listeners the background, context, and practical insight needed to understand not only what happened, but why it happened and what may come next.

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Recent Episodes

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The Pelican BriefNovember 04, 2025

00:19:1717.86 MB

Season 4, Episode 5 - Special Session, US Supreme Court & Carbon Capture

Welcome back to The Pelican Brief ! In this episode, host David Tatman brings you a comprehensive b...

The Pelican BriefOctober 20, 202500:20:1818.8 MB

Season 4, Episode 4 - Special Session, US Supreme Court & Election Results in New Orleans

Season 4, Episode 3 — Louisiana on the Line In this episode, David Tatman breaks down: Gov. Landry’...

The Pelican BriefOctober 08, 2025

00:22:0220.39 MB

Season 4, Episode 3 - US Supreme Court, Closed Primary Election & New Orleans Politics

🎙️ Season 4, Episode 2 – Shifting Power: Supreme Court Cases, Election Overhauls & Louisiana’s Pol...

About David Tatman

Thirty-five years ago, David Tatman entered the world of Louisiana government and government affairs—a career he had never imagined pursuing.

Over the decades, he has developed a deep understanding of Louisiana’s legislative process, executive branch, political history, elections, and public-policy environment. His experience has allowed him to observe how decisions are made, how coalitions are formed, and how political developments affect Louisiana residents, businesses, and communities.

David created The Pelican Brief to share that knowledge with a wider audience. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience, he connects current events with institutional knowledge and historical context, making complicated political and policy issues easier to understand.

The podcast is intended for anyone who wants to follow Louisiana politics more closely, including voters, business and community leaders, public officials, policy professionals, journalists, students, and engaged citizens.