Analysis: Special legislative elections set for February

By JEREMY ALFORD
LaPolitics.com
Before politicos can turn their collective attention away from the recent federal elections and toward next fall’s statewide races, a trio of legislative seats are up for grabs and have been added to a special February ballot.
Against this backdrop, there is a great deal of positioning and maneuvering already underway for the regular legislative elections that will be held in October. It’s an early indication that the 2015 cycle will be busy and jam-packed with candidates.
The latest special election called in the Louisiana Legislature will also open up seats on two of its most important committee. Rep. Simone Champagne, R-Erath, has announced that she will resign from the lower chamber on Dec. 31. In January Champagne will become the new chief administrative officer for the city of Youngsville.
Her move creates high-profile vacancies on the House Appropriations Committee, which is charged with crafting the state budget, and the House Education Committee, which will oversee Common Core hearings next year.
A special election for House District 49 has already been set for Feb. 21, with a runoff if needed on March 28. Qualifying begins Jan. 7.
Already there are three possible candidates looking to run, including Blake Miguez, who appeared on the History Channel’s “Top Shot” and is working with the Political Firm. Miguez has already raised nearly $60,000 with a goal to raise $100,000 by the end of 2014. The political action committee of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is already behind him.
Other candidates said to be gearing up are Iberia Parish Councilman Roger Duncan and John Bering, who has run before and is already campaigning.
Two other legislative races are set for Feb. 21 as well:
—In House District 8, Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Benton, is stepping down to become a judge. The biggest splash made so far for the resulting special election comes from constitutional law attorney Mike Johnson, who has picked up an endorsement from Congressman John Fleming, R-Quitman. Another possible candidate is Duke Lowrie, a retired fireman who lost to Thompson in 2011.
—In House District 66, Rep. Hunter Greene, R-Baton Rouge, was elected as a judge this fall, too. Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso has already announced he is running.
With Speaker Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, term-limited from filling House District 36 again, a recognizable name has already surfaced for the developing October race there. Dr. Keith DeSonier, chairman of LAMPAC and the Louisiana State Medical Society’s Council on Legislation, is in the running. Sources say he announced his intentions to the LSMS board in September. He is working with consultant Randy Hayden.
After dropping out of the 6th Congressional District during the primary, Baton Rouge attorney Cassie Felder is already considering another run next fall. She has her sights set on House District 69, which is occupied by Rep. Erich Ponti, R-Baton Rouge.
“It’s a possibility,” Felder told LaPolitics.
Here are a few other legislative races to develop recently:
—In House District 37, Rep. Johnny Guinn, R-Jennings, could have some competition. Sources say Lance Armentor, a director at Jennings American Legion Hospital, is looking closely at the 2015 race. He’s a Republican activist and a respected community advocate.
—In Senate District 12, being left vacant by term-limited Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster, a Republican, is said to be mulling it over. With roughly $250,000 to $300,000 needed for the race, money is said to be a major factor in his decision-making. Already announced for that race are Beth Mizell, a Republican from Franklinton who ran against Nevers last cycle, and Rep. Harold Ritchie, D-Bogalusa.
—In Senate District 36, now filled by term-limited Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, there are two potential contenders. Rep. Henry Burns, R-Haughton, and fellow Republican, Richey Jackson, director of the Bossier-Webster Parish Truancy Center, are lining up to run.
Want to learn about the other developing legislative races? LaPolitics is now tracking them all. Check out our new 2015 Legislative Races page here: http://lapolitics.com/2015-legislative-races/.
Abraham, Graves have committee assignments
The U.S. House Republican Steering Committee has already set aside committee seats for the victors of Louisiana’s recent congressional runoffs.
Congressmen-elect Ralph Abraham, who won in the 5th District last week, and Garret Graves, in the 6th, have already been contacted by the party leadership.
What is arguably the most important assignment goes to Graves, who will be Louisiana’s only member sitting on the House Transportation Committee.
He will also join Congressman John Fleming, R-Quitman, on the House Natural Resources Committee. Congressman Vance McAllister currently serves on natural resources as well, but will not be returning after losing in the primary.
Natural resources is a good pull for a south Louisiana congressman, since it has oversight of legislation related to energy production, mineral lands, fisheries, wildlife, public lands and oceans.
Abraham will likewise replace McAllister on the House Agriculture Committee and has secured a spot on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, where he will be the only member from Louisiana’s congressional delegation
David LaCerte, secretary of Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, said he was most excited about Abraham’s assignments, especially veterans’ affairs, since “Louisiana has been without a voice on this committee for far too long.”
More to come on marijuana issue
After failing to pass a medical marijuana bill last year, state Sen. Fred Mills, R-Parks, is telling supporters he will return in 2015 with legislation that focuses on different applications like oils and pills.
Danny Ford, lobbyist for the Louisiana Cannabis Industry Association, said narrowing the focus of such a proposal is a smart move.
“We’ve got to find a way to get something passed,” he said. “We’re excited about further exploring both the medicinal and agriculture sides of this issue.”
Ford said LCIA will also gear up next year to help educate the candidates for governor and to learn their stances on various issues.
EWE Said It
With former Gov. Edwin Edwards’ defeat in the 6th Congressional District last week comes his official exit as a candidate from Louisiana politics.
At age 87, he told reporters he doesn’t intend to run for another office.
While he lost his congressional bid, Edwards did leave behind a long string of quotable comments.
Here are a few highlights from runoff debates last month before the Livingston Chamber of Commerce and Baton Rouge Press Club:
“I don’t have any skeletons in my closet. They’re all out there walking around.” — Edwards on Edwards
“Not everyone wants to be a lawyer. Some people want to work for a living.” — Edwards on higher education
“You have everything except an easy way to get here.” — Edwards to residents of Denham Springs on their local natural resources
“It all came about when I was in a place without Internet access.” — Edwards on why it took him so long to catch up on web issues, and referencing his time in federal prison
“I don’t like to talk about people in their absence, though it’s his fault that he’s not here.” — Edwards, at last month’s Baton Rouge Press Club debate, where he was the only participant
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Jeremy Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.