Louisiana Campaigns Tread Water Until Vitter’s Race

Roll Call Politics ^ | July 16, 2015 | Eli Yokley

[Clintonfatigued]

For a number of ambitious Republicans in Louisiana, a whole lot hinges on the state’s gubernatorial election later this year — and Sen. David Vitter.

Vitter is one of four candidates facing off in the Pelican State’s “jungle primary” in October. He will be up against two other Republicans and one Democrat in a race that, unless a single candidate gets half the vote, would advance the two top candidates to a runoff in late November.

If he ultimately emerges as the victor — and that’s still an “if”— a brand new set of ifs would arise and leave politicians at several levels in Louisiana stuck watching and waiting.

Vitter has not said whether he would resign immediately and let outgoing Gov. Bobby Jindal pick his replacement, or wait to vacate the seat at the same time he is sworn in as governor. But it’s no secret Vitter’s relationship with the two-term governor is strained: Jindal has refused to endorse Vitter, and Vitter has criticized the state’s “broken fiscal policy” under Jindal’s watch.

[yongin]

vitter has taken a pounding in the media. his approval ratings are terrible. perhaps we need a non-vitter to hold the governorship. as for ky, bevin and the rga have launched a counterattack. will it be too late? losing either of races will let media say the gop is dysfunctional.

[fieldmarshaldj]

A little late now. The election in Louisiana is tomorrow and the runoff 4 weeks later.