If John Breaux Isn’t a Legal Louisiana Resident, He Should Not Be a Gubernatorial Candidate
From Bob Novak’s most recent Evans-Novak Political Report (bolds on names are Novak’s; others are mine):
Louisiana: Louisiana Republicans are aggressively working to scare former Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) away from making the governor’s race, and with good reason. Breaux would have an excellent chance against the putative Republican candidate, Rep. Bobby Jindal (R), and most of the other potential candidates would not.
Breaux’s problem is the tough five-year state citizenship requirement for gubernatorial candidates. There is now a bipartisan request pending in front of State Atty. Gen. Charles Foti for an opinion on Breaux’s residency.
Breaux, currently a lobbyist, claims residency in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and registered to vote in Maryland. Depending on whether the law is taken seriously or not, Breaux would basically need to receive special treatment to be an eligible candidate in the race. Republicans note that Breaux would not qualify for an in-state hunting license or in-state tuition at LSU. His claim of the D.C. homestead exemption could even pose legal questions aside from the governor’s race.
Republicans are not letting anyone hear the end of this…..
Republicans shouldn’t let anyone hear the end of this. It would appear, based on the details provided, that Breaux has made his bed, and his living (and most likely, very big money– see last item at link) in the Beltway, and therefore has no right to act as if he never left the Bayou State for much greener pastures. Hopefully, unlike someone else (more here and here), Breaux, despite his supposed strength as a candidate, will get a grip on reality and avoid turning the governor’s race into an embarrassing spectacle.
Louisianans should be choosing exclusively between or among candidates who can actually, and legally, call their state home.
He’s Democrat.
The laws don’t apply to Democrats
Comment by Mark_McNally — April 7, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Amen. However, I am very curious as to whether or not my follow Louisiana brothers and sisters really want to change the political climate of our state. Having Breaux run might be the way for those who say they want to change Baton Rouge to finally stand up and prove themselves. If Jindal beat Breaux, then we’ll know that the voters of our state want to improve the conditions here. If Breaux is elected governor, then we’ll know it’s all just B.S. from our politicians and voters, and we might as well have re-elected Edwin Edwards out of prison for a another term.
Comment by Nick — April 9, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
#2, the Landrieu and guv elections will be big tests.
Just blogrolled you. It’s the least I can do for someone who’s been at it back to 2003.
Comment by TBlumer — April 9, 2007 @ 2:55 pm