Republicans dominate state elections once again this year, and one analyst says that’s unlikely to change any time soon.
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U.S. Representative Clay Higgins says the midterm result weakens the Louisiana Congressional Delegation’s ability to pass positive legislation for the Bayou State. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Forty-seven parishes have elected to receive legalized fantasy sports, while the remaining seventeen will sit on the sidelines. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Democrats came up well short of challenging any of the five Republican incumbent Congressmen this year, with none of their candidates even cracking 40 percent of the vote. It’s the continuation of a two decade trend that’s led to Republican dominance of the Bayou State, and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that’s not likely to change any time soon.
Cut 4 (09) “…becoming scarce.”
And if anything, Pinsonat says it’s likely to get much worse for Dems as it appears the GOP will wipe out the last of the rural white Democrats in the 2019 state election. In the 90’s the state was all Democrat, but Pinsonat says that changed as the national party grew more socially liberal.
Cut 5 (09) “…Democratic Party.”
Pinsonat says it’s important to note the Democrats running for Secretary of State, the only statewide option Tuesday, combined for about 45 percent of the vote.
These trends don’t bode well for Governor John Bel Edwards who could be facing a Red Tide in 2019 as the nation gears up for a Presidential election and the state for local elections. Pinsonat says the environment isn’t favorable, but Edwards’ has beaten the odds before with a little help from the GOP.
Eddie Rispone is the only Republican currently in the 2019 governor’s race, but we’ll hear from Senator Kennedy about his plans by December.
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U.S. Representative Clay Higgins says the Democratic takeover of the House does not bode well for a conservative agenda or the state’s Congressional delegation’s ability to pass legislation helpful for Louisiana. With five of our six Congressmen now in the minority party, Higgins says the Bayou State will be hard pressed to get the legislation it needs through the lower chamber.
Reports indicate the state’s lone Democrat, Cedric Richmond, could be pursuing a high level leadership role in the House.
Higgins says the change in the winds will keep tax reform, deregulation, and tougher immigration and border laws from becoming a reality, and will likely lead to increased scrutiny on President Donald Trump.
But it’s not all gloom and doom as the Congressman says he’s gearing up for a new fight that will see him playing a role in resisting what he says are ascendant leftist ideals in Congress.
Democrats are projected to gain over 30 seats once the final counts are in, along with flipping seven governorships and dozens of state legislative seats.
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Several lawmakers were elected to new positions following the midterm elections. Out of eight representatives only Rick Edmonds and Julie Stokes failed in their bids to leave the legislature for different opportunities. Lapolitics.com Reporter Jeremy Alford cites a laundry list of reasons why lawmakers no longer want the job…
Alford says there is a trend regarding the new jobs of the former representatives…
Cut 11 (11) “…mayor of Alexandria”
This legislature has spent more consecutive days in session than any other dating back to 1812 and Alford says that wears out representatives…
Cut 12 (11) “…house of representatives”
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Voters in 47 of 64 parishes have decided online fantasy sports games should be legal in their parish. The opens the door for FanDuel and Draft Kings to operate in select areas. River Ridge Republican Representative Kirk Talbot, who triggered the ballot initiative, said he didn’t expect to get more than 40 parishes on board.
Cut 13 (05) “…a decent showing.”
As for the next steps with how to handle the passages that took place, Talbot says he’ll pitch a more detailed plan in the 2019 session that begins in April…
Talbot says he will look at other states for how to handle the additional tax revenue from the newly legalized activity.
Cut 15 (06) “…that next week.”
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The Saints add a new face in the receiving core: former Cowboy star Dez Bryant. The outspoken wide out has been without a team since his release in April, but had a try out in New Orleans this that apparently well. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Coach Sean Payton has always been a big fan of Bryant…
Bryant will join Mike Thomas and rookie Trequan Smith in a receiving core that’s lacked depth this year. Detillier says Dez is used to being the primary target, but..
Detillier believes Bryant is a good fit for this Saints team…
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ULM looks to stay in first place in the Sun Belt Western Division when they visit South Alabama on Saturday. The Jaguars are 1-4 in the league and 2-and-7 overall. But Warhawks Coach Matt Viator says South Al has one of the better wide receivers in the conference…
Cut 19 (25) “.really impressive”
ULM has won three straight, but Viator says they can’t just assume they’ll win this Saturday because they are playing well…