Posted on 10/16/2002 11:44:38 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Former state senator is seeking governor's chair
By Josh Beavers
Political parties aren't that important to Randy Ewing.
In fact, his voting record during the 12 years he served in the Louisiana Senate found the Jackson Parish Democrat siding more often than not with his Republican colleagues.
"I want us to get beyond the dividing line of Republican and Democrat," he told a group of about 40 Webster Parish residents on Tuesday. "The constant battles in Washington have hurt us. I don't want that to happen in our state."
"I'm not a party person," he continued. "I'm a Louisianian."
And it's that goal of uniting the people of the state to come together and move forward that fuels Ewing in his chase of the Louisiana governor's seat.
"There is a cloud that hangs over our heads and shades who we are," he said. "It's a cloud of missed opportunities, blunders and charges of corruption, either real or perceived." But those perceptions can change, he said with a smile.
"We can have a good economy," he said. "We have everything it takes to be a major national and world player. If we do what needs to be done, people won't have to leave here for opportunities. We can change things. We can move forward."
The election isn't until 2003; however, Ewing jumped at the opportunity when the Minden/South Webster Chamber of Commerce ask that he come to town as the first in a series of political speakers competing in upcoming elections.
"I'm glad to be here," he said following the event, which was held at the Community House. "It's important to get out and meet people. You talk to a lot of people through television, but it's always better to get out in person."
And if elected, Ewing pledges to make the most of the opportunity.
"Why would you want to get there just to be a master of ceremonies?" he asked. "That doesn't appeal to me. I think the governor has to be involved and get out with the businesses, factories and farmers to see how we can expand."
The governor also has to be the state's number one salesman, he said.
"People have always wanted to use our resources, whether it be our oil or timber, and take it elsewhere," he said. "Now, third-world countries can provide anything we can and provide it cheaper."
That fact, combined with Louisiana's shady past and image, makes it even more difficult to lure new industry.
"You've got to get out and answer their questions, so they don't just get the worst rumor that floats down," he said. "The old way, the corruption is gone. Anyone asking for a kickback or any other such dealing is to be reported to me. Those kind of people are in jail and this is a new day." But no matter how much a governor touts his state, Ewing said the people have to believe and sell themselves.
"We are a good and capable people," he said. "We've got all the resources and talented, talented people. But they have got to know that." Serving in the Louisiana Senate from 1988 to 2000, Ewing was named Senate president the final four years of his time in office. In that time he was also deemed the "conscious of the Senate" by his fellow legislators.
"We did some good things in the Senate," he said of his days in public office. "We moved education to the front burner and gave teachers a pay raise in three of the four years I served as president."
Other education moves made during Ewing's term included extra funding for public and technical schools as well as additional funds for state universities. "You've got to get children prepared to be successful," he said. "We have to be active and lift them up so that they can be successful and have a higher quality of life."
And he said one way to better education is to continue working with the state's accountability program.
"We've found out what our weaknesses are," he said. "Now we've got to work and give the funding to do something to correct them." In addition to helping the state's education system, Ewing was instrumental in passing the 1991 Balanced Budget Act that helped reduced the state's large amount of debt. "We were flat broke," he said. "There wasn't money to pay for anything, but we changed that. Now, however, things are getting loose again."
He also pledged to support the expansion of I-49 and completion of I-69; two transportation issues that he said must be addressed before Louisiana can truly progress. "No civilization has ever advanced without good trade routes," he said. "But we have to develop a plan because you can't do all the stuff on the south end of the state and not connect it with the north end and the rest of the country. I just don't understand that thought process."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.