Cooksey Draws Intraparty Rival in LA

The Shreveport Times | 5-21-02 | Hill, John

[Theodore R.]

Tony Perkins planning to run for U.S. Senate

John Hill / Louisiana Gannett News

Posted on May 21, 2002

BATON ROUGE - State Rep. Tony Perkins is the latest politician to announce plans to run against U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu in her bid for re-election this fall.

Perkins, a conservative Baton Rouge Republican, announced the formation of the "Perkins for Senate" campaign committee, which enables him to begin raising money.

After the legislative session is over, Perkins said he will "travel across Louisiana to meet with friends and supporters and to formally announce my decision concerning my candidacy for United States Senate."

Landrieu, a New Orleans Democrat, declined to comment other than to say what broad support she has in her reelection campaign across the state.

"Democrats, Republicans and independents from one end of the state to the other have committed to help our effort on behalf of working families in Louisiana," said a statement released by her office as she was traveling to and from New York.

The other key candidate, U.S. Rep. John Cooksey, a Monroe Republican, said Perkins is "a nice guy."

Cooksey speculated that Perkins is in the race only to improve his name recognition with Louisiana voters so he will be better positioned to run for lieutenant governor in the 2003 state elections, then for governor eight years later.

Perkins announced through a press release faxed around the state Monday on the letterhead "Perkins for Senate."

He called attention to the fact that he is a former Marine who "worked with the U.S. State Department's Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program."

Perkins is serving his second term in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

[Theodore R.]

Cooksey has not only been unable to mount a serious challenge as of yet to the liberal Landrieu but he does not even have the Republican field to himself. This campaign is shaping up into another LA Democrat runaway.

[Coop]

Yeah, the talk of Landrieu being one of the most vulnerable incumbents disappeared about 10-12 months ago. Unfortunately.

[Reagan's_Mom]

This could be a really good thing. Republicans have had zero motivation for Cooksey (at least in the NO area that I've met) b/c of his tendency to say really stupid things. Nice guy with foot in mouth. Perkins might be just the right thing to get conservatives fired up.