Sharon Hewitt

In the 2017 Regular Session of the Louisiana State Senate, Senator Hewitt authored or coauthored 18 pieces of legislation. Three bills authored or coauthored by Hewitt in the 2017 Regular Session have been sent to the governor. Hewitt authored SB225, which would create the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory Council (LaSTEM). SB 225 passed both chambers of the [Louisiana State Legislature] with bipartisan support, and was sent the governor on June 8, 2017.

Sharon Woodall Hewitt (born September 1958) is a Republican member of the Louisiana State Senate for the 1st district, which encompasses portions of St. Tammany, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes in Louisiana. In January 2016, she succeeded fellow Republican A. G. Crowe, who did not pursue a third term in the primary election held on October 24, 2015.

On March 4, 2015, Sharon Hewitt announced her candidacy for the Louisiana State Senate, District 1. Hewitt ran a campaign based on her diverse leadership experience at Shell Oil, as well as her budgeting, finance, and management skills. After defeating her opponent Pete Schneider, Hewitt assumed office on January 11, 2016 for a four-year term.

During her campaign announcement in 2015, Hewitt stated, "People are tired of career politicians. As an engineer, I am a problem solver. It's time to stop the political games and get to work. Throughout my life, I've earned leadership roles where my passion, organizational skill, collaboration with stakeholders and ability to inspire others has helped solve problems. I will use my skills and abilities to help the people of this district."

On October 24, 2015, Hewitt defeated her primary opponent, fellow Republican and former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Pete Schneider of Lacombe. Hewitt received 15,144 votes (58.7 percent) to Schneider's 10,645 (41.3 percent). Hewitt and Schneider agreed in the campaign on the need to repair the state budget.

Hewitt served as the Chairman for the St. Tammany Parish Recreation Board, District 16, from 2012-2015. In this role, Hewitt lead the effort to develop a master plan for parks and recreation in eastern St. Tammany Parish, raising over $65,000 to fund the initiative.

Prior to her 2015 Senate campaign, Hewitt ran for the District 1 seat on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which encompasses Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Tammany parishes. On October 22, 2011, Hewitt was defeated by fellow Republican James Garvey. who received 58.3% of the primary vote.

Hewitt held seventeen positions including Chapter President over her 11 years of service for the National Parent-Teacher Association. In 2010, Hewitt received the National PTA Life Achievement Award (the organization's highest honor at the national level), for her advocacy and leadership in education, safety, and legislation. Hewitt has been recognized for her efforts to replace technology equipment in local schools after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area in 2005. Following Hurricane Ike in 2008, Hewitt organized a relief effort with the Military Road schools, which successfully delivered supplies within two weeks to schools impacted in nearby Cameron Parish.

Hewitt attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, at which she earned in 1981 her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.