Today candidates begin qualifying for the US Senate race for the seat being vacated by David Vitter. Halen Doughty has more…
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Qualifying for the Congressional races kick-off today with the start of qualifying. Emelie Gunn has more…
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The community faith-based organization Together Baton Rouge outlines their plan to move the Capital City forward following the tragic shootings of Alton Sterling and three Baton Rouge police officers. Jeff Palermo has more…
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There are plans to rebuild the Civil War-era Governor’s Mansion that was intentionally burned down a week ago today in Opelousas. Mayor Reginald Tatum is upset the original structure was destroyed, but he says the foundation of the old structure is still in good condition to rebuild. He says the building’s owners are seeking emergency funds to pay for a new mansion through the national trust for historic preservation.
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The Oldest Governor’s Mansion in Louisiana Foundation has created a GoFundMe account to help with the rebuilding. Tatum believes the cost of rebuilding the mansion could be expensive, because historic buildings have to follow certain guidelines. He says before the fire, the home was 3 weeks out from opening as a museum, but he’s optimistic the building will be finished before the city’s 300thanniversary in 2020.
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Tatum says the State Fire Marshal’s Office is offering a reward to anyone with information as to who burned down the Civil War Era Governor’s Mansion and a started a fire at another historic building in Opelousas. He says security cameras have now been installed at the different sites.
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Qualifying for the US Senate race begins today. As many as eight well-known candidates are expected to file paperwork to put their name on the ballot, five republicans, two democrats and one independent. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillion anticipates a Republican and Democrat will be the top two voters in the November open primary and advance to a December runoff.
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Couvillion says Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell and Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy are the front-runners for their respective parties. But Couvillion says Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany poses a threat to Kennedy, because of his popularity in the Acadiana region.
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Couvillion says it will be interesting to see the campaigns heat up once qualifying ends Friday. He says we could see some pretty cutthroat adds similar to the ones we’ve seen in previous elections.
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The Congressional races in Louisiana officially kick-off today with the start of qualifying. Candidates will sign-up at the Secretary of State’s office between today and Friday. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat predicts the third congressional district seat will be the most competitive with some big names and heavily funded candidates trying to make it into the runoff…
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Former state representative Bret Geymann, law enforcement officer Clay Higgins and Lafayette businessman Gus Rantz are few of the other high-profile Republican candidates in the 3rd district, which is currently occupied by Republican Charles Boustany who is running for Senate.
Pinsonat says there are also well known candidates in the 4th congressional district and some wild cards like former State Senator Elbert Guillory who is a controversial African American right wing republican. He says out of the six candidates running there, two are doctors.
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The other well-known candidates in the 4th district include Cardiologist Trey Baucum, businessman and lawyer Rick Johnson and Bossier City state representative Mike Johnson, all Republicans.
Pinsonat says the first congressional race should be interesting with Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden running against fellow democrat and incumbent Cedric Richmond. He says there has been word of former KKK member and former state senator David Duke eying the 2nd congressional seat occupied by Steve Scalise.
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The community and faith-based organization, Together Baton Rouge, lays out a plan on how to move the Capital City forward in the wake of the ambush on Baton Rouge police and the fatal shooting Alton Sterling. Rev. Lee Wesley says one of the first things that needs to be done is getting help to people who struggle with mental health problems.
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Wesley says they also want to see more “community policing” in which police build a relationship with citizens. He says having an open dialogue between law enforcement and the public can help bridge the gap between them and improve relations.
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Wesley says the group will hold “We the People” meetings over the next 6 months to allow people to voice their concerns on both sides. He says there also needs to be reform in police departments, particularly with evaluating people before they join the force.
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