Candidates for attorney general still stacking up

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell will likely be called many things during the 2015 election cycle, but lonely will not be one of them.

Democratic attorney Ike Jackson Jr. of Plaquemine announced recently that he too has plans to join the increasingly crowded race.

The former general counsel for the state Department of Natural Resources, Jackson admitted that fundraising will be his largest hurdle. He added, however, that he will not begin raising money until it becomes clear whether the Democratic Party wants to endorse a candidate.

A Voter Consumer Research poll released earlier this year showed Caldwell leading former Congressman Jeff Landry 23-15. But it also found that a generic Democrat could lead them both at 33 percent.

So far, there have been no other Democratic takers. Although Marty Maley of Baton Rouge, a Republican who has experience as an assistant district attorney, could make a go at Democrats if his organization firms up and the field remains GOP-heavy.

In money news, after a recent gator-hunting fundraiser attended by several Beltway heavies, Landry is said to be preparing for another round of pass the hat.

The invitation obtained by LaPolitics shows a D.C. fundraiser is being co-hosted by U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, Congressman John Fleming and Sen. David Vitter, along with 19 other conservative members of Congress. It’s scheduled for Nov. 19, with a sizable attendance expected from national political action committees.

One wild card to surface in recent weeks is Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta. Sources close to the Republican commissioner say he has occasionally given some thought to higher office, while one lobbyist suggested that the AG’s race has actually been discussed.

For now, Skrmetta is more focused getting re-elected. The primary’s results may have pushed the idea of another office further from reality.

Forest Wright led Skrmetta into the runoff 38-37, with third place finisher Al Leone getting 25 percent and endorsing Wright. It’s a low showing for a well-financed incumbent, although he was attacked heavily by Wright and others during the primary.

Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy is also being encouraged by some Democratic circles to think about the race. He won his re-election on Nov. 4 with 51 percent, which amounted to 7,787 votes.

Finally, sources say former Congressman Cleo Fields is looking to recruit a candidate for the 2015 race, a quest that has included a conversation with at least one unnamed state lawmaker from New Orleans.