Hunt Downer Makes LA Gubernatorial Bid Official During Alexandria Stop

The Alexandria, LA, Daily Town Talk ^ | 07-23-03 | Sumrall, Bill

[Theodore R.]

Hunt Downer officially announced his bid for governor Tuesday during a campaign tour in Alexandria.

Flanked by about a dozen supporters at England Airpark's Heritage Park, the 57-year-old Republican state representative from Houma noted a passing plane.

"It's good to hear engines. That's economic development," he said.

[Theodore R.]

Downer is one of four Republicans seeking the governorship in an Oct. 4 "jungle primary" with four major Democrat contenders.

[TBP]

Sorry, I can't resist this.

Do you really want people saying that your governor is a real Downer?

[Theodore R.]

He is fighting three other Republicans at the moment for FOURTH place. Three Democrats have early leads: Atty. Gen. Richared Ieyoub, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Blanco, and former Senate President Randy Ewing. In fact, a Democrat, former Rep. Claude "Buddy" Leach, could actually take the fourth spot, leaving the top Republicaqn in fifth place. Such is LA "democracy."

[Theodore R.]

LA Republicans are divided five ways over 34 percent of the vote. There are four GOP candidates still standing, and some "vote-the-man,not-the-party" Republicans are backing the Democrat Randy Ewing. the GOP's best chance may be in the lieutenant governor's race, where three Republicans are competint against one Democrat, State Rep. Mitch Landrieu, brother of popular Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-LA.