If the frontrunner in the mayor’s race, Lt.
Governor Mitch Landrieu, wins and vacates his post, there could be a mad
scramble to replace him. The first step would be the appointment of an interim
Lt. Governor by Governor Bobby Jindal. Behind the scenes, there is already
intense jockeying among well known Republican leaders. Among those Republicans
interested in the appointment are St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis and
State Senator A.G. Crowe (R-Pearl
River). Whoever is
appointed will have an advantage in the special election which would be held in
the fall.
A Landrieu victory in New Orleans will trigger
a competitive race to replace him regardless of who Governor Jindal appoints.
Some of the potential contenders include Republican Secretary of State Jay
Dardenne and former Democrat Governor Kathleen Blanco, who has $3 million in
her campaign war chest. Another Republican looking at the race is Paul Hollis,
a Mandeville businessman, who is the son of former State Senator Ken Hollis.
State Senator Mike Michot (R-Lafayette) is also considering a campaign, but he
will forgo the race and support Dardenne if the Secretary of State runs.
The Lt. Governor position is even
more attractive because Governor Jindal has an interest in national GOP
politics. Assuming he wins re-election in 2011, Jindal could vacate his
position early if he is part of a 2012 GOP ticket and is elected as either
President or Vice President. At that time, the Lt. Governor would be able to
fill the remaining three years of the term.
JINDAL BACK IN THE HUNT FOR
GOP TICKET
A year after a disastrous turn on
the national stage giving the GOP response to President Obama’s address to
Congress, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is once again being touted for
inclusion on a presidential ticket. According to Newsweek columnist
Andrew Romano, Jindal would be a great running mate for a presidential
candidate like Mitt Romney because he provides the GOP with the “sort of modern,
multicultural appeal it needs to compete with Obama.” Over the past year,
Jindal has traveled across the nation raising money for his own campaign and
other Republican candidates. He has made approximately 40 trips outside of Louisiana. While these
trips have been criticized by some opponents in Louisiana, Jindal has increased his exposure
nationwide and created some valuable connections with powerful Republican
leaders across the country.
VITTER IN GOOD SHAPE FOR
RE-ELECTION
U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA)
received some very good news this week when Secretary of State Jay Dardenne
announced that he would not challenge the incumbent in the election this fall.
Dardenne, a popular Republican, had been looking at the U.S. Senate race for
months. At this point, he seems more interested in running for Lt. Governor if
the incumbent Mitch Landrieu is elected Mayor of New Orleans. Dardenne
personally called Vitter to give him the news and issued the following
statement, “I believe my role is to serve the people here in Baton Rouge rather than in Washington.”
Although Dardenne will not run
for Senate, Vitter will face at least two opponents: libertarian Tony Gentille
and U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (D-Napoleonville). According to a brand
new Rasmussen Reports poll, Vitter is comfortably ahead of Melancon by a 53-35%
margin. The poll found 8% of the people were undecided and 4% preferred another
candidate. This marks the first time since the D.C. Madam scandal that Vitter
has received over 50% support in a poll. It could mean that Vitter has been
able to withstand the 2007 disclosure of his connection to the call girl ring, which
almost derailed his political career. Overall, Vitter has a 61% approval
rating, while only 33% give the Senator an unfavorable rating.
In recent months, Vitter has been
working closely with tea party groups in Louisiana
and holding popular town hall meetings in opposition to the President’s agenda,
particularly his health care plan. The Rasmussen poll found that Vitter has
plenty of support in opposing the Democratic health care plan. Among the poll
respondents, 64% oppose the plan, while only 34% support it. In addition,
voters are in a very sour mood about the economy with only 8% rating it as good
or excellent, while 50% rate the economy as poor.
.
KENNER SCRAMBLE
In December incumbent Kenner
Mayor Ed Muniz announced his retirement at the end of this term. With an
upcoming vacancy, there are several political heavyweights who are preparing to
run for Mayor. Qualifying will take place in early February and the election is
set for March 27. Former Mayor Louis Congemi, a Jefferson Parish Councilman,
was the first candidate to enter the race. His yard signs have been seen
throughout the city. In the past few days, yard signs for Kenner Chief
Administrative Officer Mike Yenni began to appear. Yenni has a powerful
political name in Kenner
because his uncle and grandfather served as Jefferson Parish President. Yenni
will have to resign his position prior to qualifying. Other potential
candidates include former Kenner Mayor Phil Capitano and Kenner Councilman Joe
Stagni.
