Louisiana Democrat Endorsed Candidate for Attorney General Endorses Jeff Landry

Photo source: NOLA

Following the primary election in Louisiana for Attorney General, in which incumbent Buddy Caldwell and Jeff Landry secured a spot in the runoff, the Louisiana Democrat endorsed candidate, Geri Broussard Baloney, has come out in support of Landry today.  Citing his support for transforming the office, Ms. Baloney stated that Landry would be the best person for the job over the current officeholder.

She went further in her endorsement:

“After meeting with Jeff Landry, followed by prayerful consideration with my family, I have decided to endorse Jeff Landry because of his willingness to embrace forward thinking policies, his desire to actually transform and change the way the Attorney General’s office does business.

I ran for Attorney General because I truly believe that Louisiana cannot take another four years of Buddy Caldwell’s bad practices and policies. Jeff Landry is the only candidate that will address the critical issues that are important to Louisiana’s working families. Jeff is committed to reforming our broken criminal justice system. He understands the need for fiscal responsibility and inclusion in the Attorney General’s office. In addition, like myself, Jeff is an entrepreneur. He understands the important role small businesses play in our economy and will fight to protect our businesses.

Louisiana needs an Attorney General that will not squander the agencies resources to make brownie points with his political party. Jeff knows that crime and corruption have no boundaries or political party. I believe that Jeff is a coalition builder who will end the Buddy system of doling out huge no-bid contracts to political contributors. Instead, I believe that Jeff Landry will put the people of Louisiana first.

With so many problems facing our State, there is no question that Jeff Landry should be the next Attorney General for Louisiana. I invite all of my supporters to join me in supporting Jeff Landry for Attorney General.”

Congressman Landry had the following to say during the endorsement press conference:

“I am humbled to receive Geri’s endorsement, trust, and confidence.

Geri is like so many other Louisiana voters who know we need change in Baton Rouge. Geri and I both know the Attorney General’s office under Buddy Caldwell has been about rewarding the desires of a few, over the needs of the many. 

Justice should not be based on who you are, what part of the state you are from, your gender, your age, your political party, or your race. As Louisiana’s next Attorney General I will treat everybody fairly and equally so all citizens can develop trust that their government is there to work for them, not against them.”

The vote total for the two candidates combined in the primary totaled over 50%.

Buddy Caldwell and Huey P. Long

A great video showing the similarities between two of the most corrupt politicians to ever "serve" in Louisiana.  

The Hayride Takes Woody Jenkins and Buddy Caldwell to the Woodshed

Photo source: The Advocate

On Wednesday, Kevin Boyd of The Hayride put a proverbial switch to the backside of "conservative" Woody Jenkins and his support of Buddy Caldwell, of course which was paid for handsomely. 

Woody Jenkins has lost all credibility that he had left and has been insignificant in Louisiana for years.  His Capital City News has become nothing more than a money making racket for him and the last vestige of credibility went out the window when it was revealed that Jenkins' took endorsement money.

And today, John Binder posted on The Hayride a piece that chastises Caldwell for the utter corruptness that is rampant in the Attorney General's office.  He highlights some of the legal firms that have made off like bandits for work within the AG's office, of which 5 are below:

• Shows Cali & Walsh LLP – Donated $15,000
• Salim-Beasley LLc – Donated $6,000
• Morrow Morrow Ryan & Bassett – Donated $11,550
• Hammonds Sills Adkins & Guice LLP – Donated $200
• Usry, Weeks & Matthews APLC – Donated more than $100,000

Both pieces show that the AG's race is one of the most important elections this Saturday.  It's time to purge the state of the likes of Jenkins and Caldwell and the rest of the good ol' boys that have ravaged the reputation of this state for decades.  It's time to elect principled, conservative candidates, and for that reason, we need Jeff Landry as our next Attorney General.

The Preacher and the Politicians

Photo source:  fbcpollock.org

I don’t endorse political candidates.  I do my best to hold them accountable.  I am not a politician.  I am a preacher.  Political spin and posturing make me nauseous.  The last thing most politicians want is to go on record and be held accountablefor their campaign promises, but that is exactly what I intend to extract from them.

My wife, Patricia Gunter, briefly served as the Justice of the Peace in District D of Grant Parish.  When she was elected to office, she swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States.  Four months later, the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage to be a constitutional right.  As a Christian who believes in the biblical definition of marriage, Trish was unable to uphold her oath of office which apparently required her to officiate same-sex marriages, so sheimmediately resigned  from office.  My wife didn’t make a very good politician.

A few days later, The Baton Rouge Advocate interviewed my wife and published an article about her resignation from office.  In that same article, the newspaper reported that the office of Attorney General Buddy Caldwell was advising Justices of the Peace that they were required to marry same-sex couples because “it’s their job. They are expected to do their job. It could be an ethics violation, if they don’t.”

A few months later, I was invited to a private “Meet and Greet” event with Mr. Caldwell.  I initially hesitated to attend, but I decided I had to go and ask him if the newspaper report was true.  After his speech, I was the first person to ask the Attorney General a question.  I read the reported quote and asked him: “Is it true that you said that public officials with the power to marry are required to officiate same-sex marriages even if doing so would violate their sincerely-held religious beliefs?”  In the typical style of a true politician, Mr. Caldwell spoke for several minutes in response to my question, but he failed to give me a direct answer.  So I asked a follow-up question: “In your legal opinion, do you believe that the First Amendment guarantee of religious liberty exempts a public official from officiating same-sex marriages if doing so would violate his or her sincerely-held religious beliefs?”  His answer was an astounding: “No.”  Mr. Caldwell explained that he does not personally believe in same-sex marriage, but the law now requires that a public official with the power to marry must officiate wedding ceremonies for both heterosexual and same-sex couples.

After the meeting was dismissed, Mr. Caldwell approached me to further discuss his stance.  I told him that I was very disappointed in his answer.  I referenced the arrest and incarceration of Kim Davis, a Clerk of Court in Kentucky, for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses as evidence that this newly declared “constitutional right” to same-sex marriage poses an imminent threat to the religious liberty of thousands of Americans.  I warned that his position effectively requires that all Bible-believing Christians can no longer hold a publicoffice which  grants them the power to marry.  I demonstrated this would establish a religious requirement that any public official with the power to marry must reject the teaching of the Bible and affirm same-sex marriage.  I told Mr. Caldwell that I expect my Attorney General to defend the religious liberties of the people he was elected to serve.  After many empty assurances, Mr. Caldwell refused to make any commitment to take that stand.

Last week, I received a phone call from Jeff Landry.  He told me that he heard about my conversation with Buddy Caldwell, and Mr. Landry assured me that if he is elected Attorney General he will lead the fight to defend the religious liberties of everyone in Louisiana.  He told me that no one should be forced to quit their job or face fines and possible incarceration because they refuse to violate their religious convictions.  Mr. Landry told me that if he had been in office, he would have defended my wife’s religious liberty and assured her that she did not have to quit her job simply because she is a Christian who cannot in good conscience marry same-sex couples.

I know politicians will often say whatever is needed to win an election, and then not keep their promises once in office.  However, I personally spoke to two of the candidates running for Attorney General.  Buddy Caldwell essentially told me that Christian public officials with the power to marry must forfeit their religious liberty or resign from office.  Jeff Landry told me that no person should ever be required to violate their religious convictions.  I know there aren’t any guarantees when we elect a politician, but this preacher has decided to vote for the one candidate who promised to defend my religious liberty.

Brian Gunter

Pastor 

First Baptist Church of Pollock

Update to Woody Jenkins Piece

Photo source: The Hayride

In an update to a piece placed on the blog earlier today accusing Jenkins of being Buddy Caldwell's shill, I would like to offer the following.  First, thank you to Ken Romero and Dr. John Sutherland for discussing the issue on their afternoon program on KPEL radio in Lafayette.  However, they mentioned that the implication was made that Jenkins was a liberal supporting Caldwell.  I'd like the reader to go back and read the piece and note that there was no mention of Jenkins as a liberal.

Now, I'd like to ask the following of both Mr. Romero and Dr. Sutherland.  Why would someone who calls himself a "conservative" support a candidate for public office that has the following history:

• Caldwell supports the reelection of liberal Democrat Barbara Norton to Louisiana legislature
• Caldwell called into question on pay-for-play on campaign contributions from chiropractics
• Caldwell supports a single payer system for healthcare
• Caldwell has several campaign contributors that worked on the BP settlement for the state

Now, I'm sure that Mr. Romero and Dr. Sutherland can support the position that they've made that I've accused Mr. Jenkins of being a liberal, which I have not.  However, why is really Woody supporting someone with the credentials of a Democrat?

Woody Jenkins, Paid Political Hack, Former Democrat and Caldwell Shill

Photo source: CSPAN

Woody Jenkins is a paid political operative, former Democratic Party official, failed candidate, and shill for Buddy Caldwell’s distortion campaign.

Jenkins was a decade-long Democrat legislator, who ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate in 1978 and 1980. He conveniently switched parties to run and lose again for U.S. Senate in 1996.  Jenkins was also fined thousands by the Federal Election Commission for concealing $82,500 for a David Duke phone bank. He later lost again at a run for U.S. House of Representatives.

But Woody's epic failures have not deterred him from staying involved in politics. Nope, he is a paid political operative who will run negative campaigns against opponents of his paying clients.

The latest case shows how Jenkins, just like Caldwell, can't leave his Democrat roots.

Woody has launched political propaganda filled with lies and distortions against proven conservative Jeff Landry on behalf on lifelong Democrat Buddy Caldwell.

Jenkins operates what he calls a news service and newspaper, so he can profit from his political attacks.  His "reports" are nothing more than an old-school, good-old-boy, Democrat hit jobs against someone we all know and trust.

Lies like these clearly didn't work for Jenkins in the past and they won't this time either. We've learned about Caldwell's corrupt Buddy System and know it must end. This latest Jenkins smear campaign has us even more energized to back the honest, ethical, and conservative Jeff Landry.

Jeff Landry is a successful attorney who has handled millions of dollars in legal cases.  He has worked in multiple Louisiana court jurisdictions.  And even Mr. Jenkins has been forced to admit, Jeff Landry worked for one of Louisiana’s top law firms.

After Jeff Landry was successfully elected as a Republican to Congress with more than 60% of the vote, taking a seat held by the Democrats, Landry was no longer connected to Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith.

Working for Buddy Caldwell, Mr. Jenkins claims that Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith worked for the Attorney General’s office starting in March 2011.

In March 2011, Jeff Landry was already making national and state news for his efforts in Congress where he fought Obama’s federal overreach.

Failed Democratic politician Woody Jenkins, like Caldwell, can now claim he is a Republican.

The facts are Mr. Jenkins is a failed Democratic politician just like corrupt Buddy Caldwell.

Jeff Landry Issues Rebuttal to Caldwell's Accusations

In a rebuttal to Buddy Caldwell's accusations that he is not qualified for the office of Louisiana Attorney General, Jeff Landry issued the following via email today:

There’s a lot to be said about experience in this race.

It is critical for you, and your friends, to know I have worked as a successful Attorney for many years. 

I have handled millions of dollars in legal cases all across our State in multiple jurisdictional courts.

In this race, I am the only candidate who has been a successful lawyer, a lawmaker elected by the citizens of South Louisiana as a Congressman who took on Barack Obama’s federal overreach, and a law enforcement officer who fought crime on the front lines years ago.

In addition, I have owned and operated a successful Louisiana oil and gas small business where I created jobs and helped grow our economy.

Currently, Buddy Caldwell presides over the SECOND WORST legal environment in the ENTIRE COUNTRY. It’s a legal climate that is hostile to job creators and as a result has added to the devastation of our economy. Jobs are leaving the state and stakeholders are opting to conduct business elsewhere as a result.

We need an Attorney General who will bring to the table the type of experience needed to help clean up our legal climate and help Louisiana get back to work.

The legal field is similar to the practice of medicine in that there are various types of law in which attorneys practice. You wouldn’t go to an orthopedic surgeon for brain surgery; you would go to a neurosurgeon. Similarly, if you were closing on your home mortgage loan, you would not call a personal injury attorney; you would find a good real estate attorney.

Almost all of our criminal cases in Louisiana are handled at the District Attorney level. Rarely does the Attorney General prosecute those kinds of cases, and when they do it is the Assistants who travel to those courtrooms and make those arguments. The vast majority of litigation that is overseen by the Attorney General’s office has nothing to do with criminal prosecution. On the contrary, it’s mostly civil litigation and given our legal climate and the economy in the shape it’s in we need an AG who will focus on the impact we have on job creators.

We need an AG with over a decade of experience practicing corporate law, experience as a lawmaker, and experience as a law-enforcer.

That is why I am running for Attorney General.

Our current Attorney General looks at Louisiana businesses as an ATM machine with which to reward his Democratic campaign donors.

I am running to bring ethics, professionalism, and hard work to the Attorney General’s office.

We need an Attorney General who will work with our job creators, not harm our economy.

In early voting starting this Saturday or on October 24th - I hope you will take a close look at the shape of our state, think about how much better it could be if jobs weren’t leaving the state at an alarming rate and how much better it would be if our children had an opportunity to live and work in the state we call home.

Louisiana is a good state; let’s work to make it great.

I ask for your vote as our next Attorney General. 

Sincerely,
Jeff Landry

Landry Campaign Unleashes New Video Highlighting Caldwell's Liberal Tendencies

In what's the latest jab at Buddy Caldwell's history of support of liberal politicians, Jeff Landry issued this video highlighting Caldwell's "love" of Mary Landrieu, the recently vanquished Senator from Louisiana,

GNO Republicans Endorse Jeff Landry for Attorney General

Photo source: LandryForLouisiana.com

 St. Tammany Parish GOP, Jefferson Parish GOP, Orleans Parish GOP, St. Bernard GOP, St. Charles Parish GOP, St. John Parish GOP choose Landry over Incumbent.

METAIRIE, LA – At a press conference this afternoon, local Republican Parties from the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area announced their endorsements of Jeff Landry for Attorney General.

“Jeff Landry is a conservative lawmaker, a successful businessman, and a former law enforcement officer who is uniquely qualified to be Louisiana’s next Attorney General. The St. Tammany Parish Republican Party overwhelmingly endorses Jeff Landry for Attorney General, and we encourage everyone to vote for Jeff this month,” said St. Tammany GOP Chairman Peter Egan. 

“The Jefferson Parish Republican Party believes that Jeff Landry embodies the Republican principles of compassion, adherence to the Constitution, and fiscal conservatism,” said Jefferson GOP Chairwoman Polly Thomas. “The Jefferson Parish Republican Party urges voters to cast their ballots for Jeff Landry on October 24th or during the early voting period of October 10th through 17th.”

“The Orleans Parish Republican Party is proud to endorse Jeff Landry for Attorney General,” said Orleans GOP Vice Chairman Adrian Bruneau. “We are confident Mr. Landry will return the Office of Attorney General to a positive direction and value-based leadership.”

“Jeff Landry represented St. Bernard with distinction and honor in Congress, and we know he will continue to defend the Constitution and promote our conservative values,” said St. Bernard GOP Chairman Mark Madary. “The St. Bernard Republican Party endorses Jeff Landry for Attorney General, and we encourage everyone from Arabi to Chalmette and Meraux to Violet to vote for Jeff Landry.” 

“Jeff Landry is honest and ethical; you can trust him. Jeff is uniquely qualified as a former lawmaker, law enforcement officer, and lawyer. The St. Charles Parish Republican Party endorses Jeff Landry for Attorney General, and I urge everyone to vote Jeff Landry for Attorney General,” said St. Charles GOP Chairman Garrett Monti. 

“The St. John the Baptist Republican Party knows the Attorney General is one of the most important offices in Louisiana, and we have given a great deal of thought to which candidate would best represent our state. After reviewing the candidates’ backgrounds and qualifications, the St. John Parish Republican Party has determined Congressman Landry’s unique combination of experience, conservatism, and integrity make him the best choice to represent all of Louisiana’s citizens,” said St. John GOP Vice Chairman Allan Reynaud.

In accepting these endorsements, Landry concluded: “I am grateful to have earned the support of the Greater New Orleans Republican Parties. We recognize change is needed to fight federal overreach and make our communities safer. Together, we will make Louisiana a better place to live, work, and raise our families.”

The Public Integrity Alliance and Solution Fund Release "The Buddy System"

Photo source: YouTube

The "BuddySystem" in the Louisiana Attorney General's Office has drawn the attention of the  Public Integrity Alliance. Louisiana deserves better than another corrupt state politician.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette College Republicans Endorse Jeff Landry for Louisianas next Attorney General

Photo source: Facebook

The following press release was issued by the UL College Republicans on Tuesday regarding Landry's bid to unseat Buddy Caldwell in the race for Louisiana Attorney General.

LAFAYETTE – Today, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College Republicans announced their endorsement of Jeff Landry for Louisiana’s next Attorney General. The announcement comes ahead of the October 24th elections and shows a growing trend in millennial support for Landry’s campaign. UL Lafayette joins LSU College Republicans and the Louisiana Young Republican Federation in endorsing Jeff Landry’s bid for AG.

Louisiana is often ranked at the bottom of a lot of rankings in the nation. Louisiana currently has the second worst legal environment in the country (source: institute for legal reform Sept, 10, 2015). Furthermore, Louisiana’s economy is not attracting as many jobs as expected in 2015. It could be argued that the two are part and parcel of one another. ULL College Republicans President Graham Beduze said, “Louisiana’s legal climate is hostile to job creators and as a result Louisiana isn’t seeing enough economic growth to be an attractive option for our graduates. We are unfortunately losing graduates to Texas and other states. We need do all we can to keep our bright minds and the future of Louisiana here at home.”

Louisiana needs an Attorney General who recognizes this and has the right experience to turn things around. Jeff Landry has been a corporate attorney for over a decade, has created hundreds of jobs as a small business owner, and has a unique understanding of the law from his experience as a lawmaker. Beduze continued, “We need to create opportunity for economic growth and job creation in Louisiana. We can accomplish that by cleaning up the legal environment here at home thus encouraging businesses to come to Louisiana and put people back to work. Jeff Landry is uniquely qualified to help us do just that.”

In receiving the endorsement, Jeff Landry said: “I am honored to have the support of the College Republicans at my Alma Mater. The support of young voters who recognize the untapped potential of our state is humbling. In Louisiana, and particularly in Acadiana, we know the power of an unbridled entrepreneurial spirit. We have seen Lafayette transform over time as a model for growth, but we must allow for that same growth across the state. That takes a combined effort. I hope the voters will join me in fighting for our Louisiana. Louisiana is a good state, let’s make it great!”

Landry’s other endorsements include the Republican Party of Louisiana, Pro-Life Family Research Council Action, Gun Owners of America, Gator PAC, The Washington Parish Republican Party, Congressmen Fleming and Scalise, the Louisiana Young Republican Federation, and the College Republicans at Louisiana State University.

Washington Parish Republican Party Endorses Jeff Landry

FRANKLINTON, LA – Today, the Washington Republican Parish Executive Committee (RPEC) announced that they have voted to endorse Jeff Landry for Louisiana Attorney General.

In making the announcement - Washington RPEC Chairman Darryl Peterson said, “Many elections are on the ballot this October, but the race for Attorney General is among the most crucial. In today’s climate, both legal and economic, Louisiana needs an Attorney General who will clean up our state’s legal environment that is currently ranked second worst in the nation. Further, we need an Attorney General with a proven record of job creation taking a business approach to the office. Jeff’s years as a corporate attorney representing job creators and creating jobs on his own as a small business owner are exactly the credentials we need at this junction.”

In receiving the endorsement - Jeff Landry said, “I am humbled to have the support of the Washington RPEC. These elected leaders at the local level embody the principles of our Party. They - like many Republicans, Democrats, and Independents across the state - have grown tired of the status quo, incumbent office holders and are hungry for a change to principled governance that focuses on the issues facing our families and businesses every day. Our current legal environment in Louisiana has driven jobs and industry out of our state; and it’s time for an Attorney General who will take an approach that encourages economic growth and who will put Louisiana first. Louisiana is a good state; together, we can make it great.” 

Landry has also been endorsed by the Republican Party of Louisiana, the pro-life Family Research Council Action, Gun Owners of America, Gator PAC, Congressman John Fleming, Congressman Steve Scalise, Colonel Rob Maness, the Louisiana Young Republican Federation, and the College Republicans at Louisiana State University.

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Jeff Landry is a lifelong Republican. Landry is the son of working class parents. Landry worked as a local police officer and Sheriff’s Deputy. A veteran, Landry served as a Military Police officer during his decorated service in the Louisiana National Guard. Landry went on to own and run a successful small business in the oil and gas industry. After earning a law degree from Loyola, Landry served as a business attorney helping job creators in Louisiana. For two years, Landry also served as a conservative lawmaker working against federal overreach while representing Louisiana in Congress.

Jeff Landry Files for October 24th Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday September 8, 2015 

CONTACT: Millard Mule, 337-313-4537 or news@landryforlouisiana.com

BATON ROUGE, LA - Joined by his wife Sharon and their son JT - former Congressman, veteran, and attorney Jeff Landry today filed the paperwork to seek election as Louisiana's next Attorney General. After qualifying, Landry issued the following statement:

"I have served our nation in uniform, kept our neighborhoods safe as a law enforcement officer, and employed hundreds as a small business owner. I have worked with job creators as corporate lawyer at one of the state's top firms. I have written and defended laws as a conservative Member of Congress. As the next Attorney General, I will utilize my vast experience to protect our families, our freedoms, and the rule of law. I will end Caldwell's scandalous era of corruption, nepotism, and cronysim; and I will bring honesty, integrity, and hard work to the Attorney General's Office."

Landry has already been endorsed by the Republican Party of Louisiana, Congressman Steve Scalise, Congressman John Fleming, Colonel Rob Maness (retired), Family Research Council Action, and other local and national conservative leaders. He is expected to announce several other endorsements as Election Day nears.

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Solution Fund PAC Fundraiser Scheduled on 9/24/15

On 9/24 at the Camelot Club in Baton Rouge, LA, the Solution Fund PAC, who is supporting Jeff Landry in his bid for Louisiana Attorney General, will be holding a fundraiser.  The details of the event are below:

9/24/2015   5:30 PM TO 8:00 PM
CAMELOT CLUB
FLOOR 21
CHASE SOUTH TOWER
451 FLORIDA ST
BATON ROUGE, LA

Information on Solution Fund PAC can be found at WWW.STOPTHEBUDDYSYSTEM.COM.

Solutions Fund PAC Supporting Jeff Landry in AG Race

A newly formed PAC is coming out in support of Jeff Landry in his bid to defeat Buddy Caldwell in the Louisiana Attorney General's race.  This group touts Caldwell's liberal past and Landry's conservative credentials. 

Information can be found here on this group.

Jeff Landry Endorsed by Rob Maness and GatorPAC

Photo source: NOLA  

BATON ROUGE, LA - At a press conference this morning in front of the Pentagon Barracks, Colonel Rob Maness (retired) - GatorPAC founder and a former Republican U.S. Senate Candidate who earned more than 200,000 votes - endorsed Jeff Landry for Attorney General. 

"The Attorney General race is an opportunity to elect a proven conservative Republican to fight continued Federal overreach, protect religious liberty, and fight corruption in statewide politics," said Maness. "I endorse and GatorPAC endorses Jeff Landry for Louisiana Attorney General."

Highlighting Landry's record of military service, law enforcement experience, and his conservative voting record in Congress - Maness continued, "I know Jeff will aggressively take on the big issues that affect Louisiana."

In accepting the endorsements, Landry declared: "I am humbled to have the support of Colonel Maness. Like him, I am not a politician.; rather, I am a husband and father who started a successful small business in the oil and gas industry. I am attorney who worked for one of Louisiana’s top 10 law firms. I see the destruction liberal policies have on our country, and I am running to fight back."

"While Colonel Maness and I stood together to oppose Mary Landrieu, Buddy Caldwell twice offered his support to her last year... even in the runoff," added Landry. "No conservative would do that. No Republican would do that. No one who is truly pro-life or pro-second amendment would do that."

"The purpose of GatorPAC is to keep the grassroots army we built during my 2014 U.S. Senate campaign engaged and to build upon that base. We look forward to mobilizing our troops to support Jeff Landry’s campaign for Attorney General," concluded Maness. 

LSU College Republicans Endorse Jeff Landry for LA Attorney General

Photo source: Facebook

In a Facebook release, the group had the following to say regarding their endorsement of Landry over incumbent Buddy Caldwell. 

 "The LSU College Republicans are pleased to announce that our board voted unanimously to endorse Jeff Landry in his bid to become Louisiana's next Republican Attorney General. We hope you'll join us in supporting Jeff Landry and see as we do that Jeff is THE Republican in this race and is eminently qualified to serve as our Attorney General. "

What in the World is Wrong with the East Baton Rouge GOP

Today, the East Baton Rouge GOP will announce their support of Buddy Caldwell in his run for re-election for Louisiana Attorney General.  In the response from Woody Jenkins, "we were impressed with his positions on substantive issues.”

Photo source: Think Progress

What substantive issues would that be, Mr. Jenkins?  Would it be Caldwell's support for government takeover of healthcare?  Caldwell even went so far as to say that “I trust the government more than insurance companies.”  Does this sound like someone with conservative values that Jenkins has referenced to in their endorsement?

Photo source: WWL TV

Also, Caldwell has lined the pockets of some of his donors with taxpayer money while working on the settlement following the BP disaster.  $38 million in fees have been paid to these donors, who are politically tied to Caldwell, which take a significant chunk out of the settlement being paid to the State of Louisiana.  Does this sound like someone who is ethically qualified for this office, Mr. Jenkins?

Photo source: YouTube

Finally, the faux-Elvis who've serenaded the likes of Mary Landrieu during a recent Mardi Gras celebration in Washington, DC has been found in the company of noted liberal Democrats in the state during an election announcement.  Sen. Barbara Norton's announcement came with the likes of a photo op with our "conservative" Attorney General, according to Jenkins' determination of conservative.

Photo source: KTBS

What is the real reason for this endorsement?  What is the parish GOP party really endorsing this RINO for?  Could this be a pay-for-play, for which Caldwell is notorious?  Only time will tell.

Buddy Can't Have it Both Ways

Photo source: Flickr

After reading Sam Hannah’s article last week in the Ouachita Citizen, I had to check to make sure I clicked the right link. I thought that I had somehow gotten to a Buddy Caldwell campaign press release. There was no mistake. I understand opinion editorials, but I was surprised to see that it lacked any pretense of objective journalism.

Apparently, Buddy Caldwell should be applauded for his magnificent leadership in reaching the settlement between the state and BP over the oil spill. The outside lawyers that Buddy hired are only getting $38 million in fees, while firms representing other states are getting close to $700 million. It does seem like a good deal, but hardly anything is as it seems.

No matter how much Mr. Hannah may want to simplify it to cast Buddy in a nice light, there are few facts that I think he and his readers should be reminded.

The reason the lawyers are getting paid $38 million instead of close to a billion has nothing to do with the leadership of Buddy Caldwell. In fact, shortly after the spill, the Attorney General tried his hardest to see that his friends and campaign contributors would be enriched just like the lawyers of those other states.

Since Mr. Hannah didn’t, let me put on my journalistic cap and offer a little background so you can be truly informed. Louisiana law provides that outside lawyers hired by the AG to represent the state be paid on an hourly rate instead of being allowed a contingency on the reward won by the state. But shortly after the BP spill, Buddy teamed with the Senate President to offer SB 731 in the 2010 legislative session. The bill would have allowed the lawyers Buddy hired compensation based on a contingency agreement instead of an hourly rate. Fortunately for us, he wasn’t successful. But had he been, the campaign contributors he hired to represent the state would have made a killing just like those lawyers representing the other Gulf States.

This notion that man should be applauded for something he fought against is ludicrous.

The State of Louisiana Will Get Nearly $7 Billion in BP Settlement, But First Buddy Caldwell's Bills Have to Be Paid

Before Louisiana receives any of the money that is allocated as a result of the settlement with BP, Louisiana Attorney Buddy Caldwell's employ of lawyers need to be paid, to the tune of $38.5 million.  And what further stinks up this contrived groups of lawyers is the fact that most of them are politically tied to Caldwell.

It's time for the State of Louisiana to do better for an Attorney General.  This type of "good-old boy" behavior from the last 50 years needs to go and the likes of the RINO Caldwell representing the legal interests of the state is laughable.

Read more: Attorney General's office has paid more than $38 million to law firms working on BP settlement