LA-1 & LA-6: Special Election Party Primaries March 8
By Vladimir Posted in 2008 | Louisiana | Spotlight Blogs — Comments (5) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
In District 1, the election of Gov. Bobby Jindal created a vacancy in LA's most conservative district, comprised mostly of New Orleans suburbs. The Republican nomination here is tantamount to victory in the general; State Senator Steve Scalise of Metairie has emerged as the frontrunner.
GOP candidates in 1st District all tilt far to the right
When Steve Scalise speaks of his proudest moments as a Louisiana legislator, he is liable to mention two bills: one protecting gun manufacturers against lawsuits by cities and another banning gay marriage.
Tim Burns, a fellow Republican legislator and one of Scalise's opponents in the 1st Congressional District special election, trumpets his own credentials as a "pro-life conservative." He's even drawn Scalise into an exchange about who did, and did not, commit what amounts to a mortal sin in one of the most conservative districts in the country: voting to raise taxes.
Even the labor union-backed Democrat in the race, Gilda Reed, touts herself as a fiscal conservative and personally against abortion while wanting abortion to remain legal for others.
Jindal won election in this district with 88% of the vote (the last open primary), despite the fact that voter registration is still majority-Democrat.
LA-6, in and around Baton Rouge, is a whole different kettle of fish. ...more...This seat is open due to the decision of long-time Rep. Richard Baker (R) to become a lobbyist. One time U.S. Senate contender and long-time State Rep. Woody Jenkins is the overwhelming Republican favorite and possible primary victor sans runoff. (Primaries require 50% + 1.) The general election, however, should see stiffer Democratic competition than in LA-1.
Candidates fill airwaves, mailboxes
Meanwhile, Republican candidate and ex-Baker staffer Paul Sawyer seems to be running a clinic how to draw negative attention to yourself during a campaign:
and the LA 6 primary is getting nasty Republican Sawyer has an ad out saying Jenkins took money from Klu Klux Klan member David Duke and the Republican Party has blasted the ad but Sawyer is keeping it up.
See the last link. Jenkins was fined $3000 for failure to disclose the purchase of an automatic calling machine.
Jenkins, a former state representative, said he used the machine, operated by a company called Impact Mail Ltd., during his 1996 U.S. Senate race.
When he found out that Duke once owned the machines, Jenkins said he tried to stop payment to the company. But Jenkins’ campaign manager had already signed an $82,500 contract, he said.
In 1999, when a federal grand jury started investigating Duke’s finances, it came to light that Duke had received money from Impact Mail and that that company was linked to Jenkins.
Sawyer contends that Jenkins knew of the Duke tie all along and tried to cover up the deal by paying Impact Mail through Courtney Communications, Jenkins’ media firm at the time.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. - Frank Zappa
I haven't heard much from Jenkins since he challenged Landrieu twelve years ago, but his debate performances stood out. I remember thinking that it was a rarity to hear a politician who understands the philosophical underpinnings of his conservative views and who could thus explain them both. I'd like to see him in the House, but I'd love to see him take another crack at a Senate seat at some point.
...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...
---Thomas Paine---
personally opposed to taking the life of a child.
But will allow others to do so.
Gotcha, thanks.