Former state Rep. Damon Baldone attempted to change his party affiliation to both Democrat and Republican — a dual registration — on Monday morning with the Terrebonne Parish Registrar of Voters, but was refused and he is now taking the matter to court.
Depending on how the 32nd Judicial District rules, it could be a precedent-setting case.
The registrar only allowed Baldone to register his party affiliation as “other.”
“I believe I have the constitutional right to affiliate with both parties,” Baldone, who was a Democrat, told LaPolitics. “When I return to the Legislature I want to be in both rooms and talk to both sides.”
Baldone said he will qualify next month to run in House District 52, which is being left vacant by House Natural Resources Chairman Gordy Dove, R-Houma, who is term limited and campaigning for Terrebonne Parish president.
While Baldone, an attorney who describes himself as “100 percent pro-life before and after the child is born,” could have just as easily registered as independent, or non-affiliated, he said he has growing concerns about what a splinted, two-party system could do to the Louisiana Legislature.
“I want to head that off,” said Baldone. “Washington politics have been seeping into Louisiana and it’s time to recognize that many of us share beliefs with both parties.”Jerome Zeringue, former chairman of the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and J.J. Buquet, who owns Buquet Distributing in Houma, are both expected to qualify for the House seat as well. Both are Republicans.
Sheriffs Deny Vitter On Early Endorsement
After speaking to some personally and texting more, U.S. Sen. David Vitter was unable to convince enough sheriffs to issue an early endorsement for his gubernatorial campaign during their annual convention in Shreveport last month.
The text message obtained by LaPolitics and confirmed as authentic by the Vitter campaign suggested to sheriffs that waiting to endorse, rather than officially backing him this week, would be a poor choice. “A later endorsement would be much, much less significant and helpful,” Vitter wrote in the text.
Elected members who attended the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association gathering said Vitter pushed the idea hard, only to garner support from a handful of sheriffs.
For an early endorsement, sheriffs would have had to carve out a temporary exception to a new bylaw that was passed in February prohibiting endorsements prior to qualifying. The sheriffs have historically endorsed in statewide races during the summer, or in some instances earlier. But following last year’s contentious backing of U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, they decided a change was needed.
Some sheriffs interviewed, seeking to avoid the race for now with cover from the new bylaw, felt Vitter was trying to force their hand, even though a few said they would end up supporting him anyhow.
The state’s sheriffs will likely meet again in Baton Rouge some time after qualifying in early September to discuss the endorsement topic again and, possibly, to vote on a candidate to back. Maness eyes U.S. Senate seat, preps PACAfter building a political career out of a novice run for the U.S. Senate last year, retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness of Madisonville told LaPolitics he may be ready to do it again in 2016.
“I’ve told Sen. (David) Vitter that I’m extremely interested in the Senate seat if he wins for governor and he had a very positive response,” said Maness.
Maness could present a minor roadblock for Congressman John Fleming of Shreveport, another likely Senate candidate. Both would run to the right of the field and hope to gain favor with tea party types. Congressman Charles Boustany and Treasurer John Kennedy are viewed as likely contenders as well.
In the meantime, Maness is prepping his GATOR PAC, a hybrid super PAC, for the fall state elections. He said questionnaires have been sent to candidates and endorsements will soon follow.
In addition to the statewide races, Maness said his GATOR PAC may get involved in a few legislative elections. The PAC currently holds about $60,000, he added.Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who was also a one-time vice presidential candidate, offered supportive words for Maness’ PAC via email.
“You bet I’ll be supporting Col. Rob Maness,” wrote Palin. “I am encouraged to hear that Col. Maness may be a candidate in the 2016 Louisiana U.S. Senate race and know he would be a needed veteran’s voice for strong constitutional conservative principals in Washington, D.C. Run Rob Run!”GOP follow-up endorsements not expectedRoger Villere, chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, said it’s doubtful the party will endorse other statewide candidates for office in the wake of the big nod it doled out recently in the attorney general’s race.
“I don’t see a big movement for endorsements,” he said. “But it could happen. People could organize.”
That’s how former Congressman Jeff Landry got his party endorsement — by collecting enough signatures from the Republican State Central Committee.
There could be some support given out in legislative races, though, said Villere.
Against incumbent Democratic Rep. Dorothy Sue Hill in House District 32, an endorsement is expected soon for Biscuit Smith, a member of the Republican State Central Committee who already has the backing of Congressman John Fleming,R-Minden.
That will make it the third legislative race the party has gotten involved with, including endorsements for Beth Mizell in Senate District 12 and Julie Emerson in House District 39.
Treasurer preparing to go on TV
Treasurer John Kennedy was seen shooting a re-elect spot in his hometown of Zachary last month with national ad man Fred Davis, whose California-based Strategic Perception won 12 of 12 in last year’s federal cycle.
The treasurer is said to be expecting opposition on the fall ballot, due to his knocks on Gov. Bobby Jindal, but it’s doubtful a real contender will step forward.
Kennedy has a whopping $3.7 million in the bank, for his state account. This outlay, with a national consultant attached, may be more about his potential run for the U.S. Senate in 2016.
They Said It
“I don’t know why but women are much smarter than men.”
—State Rep. John Bel Edwards, to a gathering of the Independent Women’s Organization in New Orleans
“I love listening to Jindal, because I swear if you didn’t know who he is, you swear it was Gomer Pyle”
— Joseph Curtatone, mayor of Somerville, Mass., on Boston Herald radio
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