Ret. Lt. Gen. Honore’ may run for La. gov, but says he doesn’t need ‘a group of old dudes to bless it’
There’s no shortage of super PACs in this year’s gubernatorial race, meaning the special political action committees that can raise unlimited amounts of money but cannot coordinate with the candidates and campaigns they’re spending cash on.
They’re new to Louisiana’s state races, but have had a presence in federal elections for a few years now. Mostly they’ve been set up to support specific candidates for governor, with the fund for Louisiana’s Future, which is backing U.S. Sen. David Vitter, leading the way. Until now.
Last week a new anti-Vitter super PAC managed by the firm of Ourso Beychok made its debut. It’s called GUMBO PAC, and it kicked things off with a hard-hitting video on its website. The video links Vitter to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, couches him as a champion for BP and zeroes in on the D.C. madam controversy. The voiceover ends on one line: “Imagine the things you haven’t heard about – yet.”
And there is more to come, according to PAC director Trey Ourso.
“We’re going to educate voters about David Vitter,” Ourso said. “We’ve all been going through this race and it’s too quiet.”
Ourso said he is raising money inside and outside the state, and will file a campaign finance report soon with the state Ethics Administration.
Others are already raising money. Louisiana Rising, which is backing Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, has reported $365,000 raised with almost all of it in the bank.
Bill Skelly, executive director of Louisiana Rising, said the total was collected over a three week period and marks the beginning of the super PAC’s fundraising. While Angelle will be the group’s primary focus, Skelly said others could benefit as well.
“We’re exploring multiple candidates,” he said. “In the coming weeks we’ll also be building out our infrastructure and bringing on more staff.”
A third super PAC called Now or Never-Louisiana has also been established to help Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne but no figures were readily available this week.
Supporters contend it is still early and the pro-Dardenne super PAC will have the resources needed to compete. There is no 180-day report on file yet with the Ethics Administration for Now or Never.
There’s also no sign yet of a super PAC to prop up state Rep. John Bel Edwards, the lone Democrat who has been running second in the polls. However, rumors continue to swirl that one is in the works.
or now, the pro-Vitter Fund for Louisiana’s Future is the biggest game around, with $3.5 million in the bank. A recent email from the super PAC was just as complimentary of Edwards as it was of Vitter.
Honoré still mulling election entrance
Ret. Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré said he has made no final decision about running for governor.
“I’m still thinking about it,” he told LaPolitics. “I have time. I won’t need a group of old dudes to bless it and $7 million in the bank to run my campaign.”
Honoré said he still has no party registration and would likely stay independent for a run. There were rumors that supporters were trying to convince him to run as a Democrat, based on polling conducted earlier this year.
Yet even as an independent candidate, Honoré could have the effect of a Democratic player, siphoning votes away from state Rep. John Bel Edwards, D-Amite, and helping to boost one of the other Republican candidates to a runoff against U.S. Sen. David Vitter.
Sheriffs will at least hear from candidates
Mike Ranatza, executive director of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, said his membership will gather for their annual meeting in July and many are looking forward to hearing from the candidates for governor.
It’s too early, though, to say whether there will be an actual endorsement, he said.
“But we’ll definitely have that conversation,” Ranatza added.A continuing resolution for Louisiana?
When Congress and the president fail to meet minds on a budget bill, and they’re basically stuck, a continuing resolution is often passed to allow the treasury to continue paying expenses at the most recent levels for a certain period of time.
A public body and an elected executive at loggerheads over the budget. Sound familiar?
Asked whether the Louisiana Legislature would have a similar option if sine die arrives before a budget solution, Treasurer John Kennedy crossed his arms and contemplated.
“It’s something we ought to explore,” he said, adding that his department could handle such a directive. “I’d rather have no budget than something that is just slapped together and only gets us through a few months. That would be dangerous and irresponsible. A budget needs to be based on logic, not tremendous fear.”
They Said It
“I don’t think there’s any money left.”-Rep. Helena Moreno, D-New Orleans, when she finally got a turn to offer a budget amendment “I can answer that. There wasn’t any when we started.”-Appropriations Chairman Jim Fannin, R-Jonesboro
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