La. GOP snubs incumbent AG, supports Jeff Landry

BATON ROUGE (AP) — The Republican Party of Louisiana is backing former Congressman Jeff Landry to be the state's attorney general, snubbing GOP incumbent Buddy Caldwell.

Party leaders say it's the first time the GOP has chosen to back a challenger to a statewide Republican incumbent since the 1991 governor's race. But Caldwell has done little to tighten ties to the GOP since he switched from the Democratic Party four years ago.

Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere announced the endorsement today with Landry.

Pressed to explain why Caldwell wasn't worthy of the party's support and why Landry was favored, Villere provided few specifics. He said Landry had "better qualifications" and was "the most conservative" candidate.

Party support comes as the fundraising competition tightens between the two men heading into the Oct. 24 election.