LAGOP Statement on Joe Biden's Pick for Vice-President

Baton Rouge, LA – Yesterday afternoon, Democrat nominee for President Joe Biden announced his running mate would be California Senator Kamala Harris. 

Sen. Harris is the left-wing political operative who sought the Democratic nomination for President last year by aligning her politics with the radical left and attacking the very same candidate on whose ticket she is now running! During her campaign, she publicly supported:

• Abolishing all private healthcare and requiring Medicare-for-All. 

• Stripping American’s of their second amendment rights through the use of executive orders.

• Passing the anti-job Green New Deal while raising taxes on the middle class.

• Decriminalizing illegal immigration and offering illegal immigrants free healthcare and other services.

She has not since renounced any of these positions; if anything, she has been emboldened since the COVID pandemic began.

The choice in November is now clearer than ever: a vote for Trump-Pence is a vote for peace and prosperity; a vote for Biden-Harris is a vote for violence, anarchy, and socialized medicine. The danger of a Biden-Harris administration is grave, and the price our country would have to pay is far too high.

Only a vote for President Trump will ensure that America’s economy will be rebuilt, our country strengthened, and our people empowered. Let’s Keep America Great!

###

LAGOP Calls on Gov. Edwards to Not Stand in the Way of Moving Louisiana Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9th, 2019

(Baton Rouge, LA) As legislators gather in Baton Rouge for the start of the 2020 Legislative Session, the Republican Party of Louisiana (LAGOP) calls upon Governor Edwards to work with Republican legislators to pass real reforms that will move Louisiana forward. 

Since winning re-election on his campaign promise to be a bi-partisan leader, Governor Edwards has proposed an agenda that runs counter to the reforms Republicans and voters desperately want. As a result, Governor Edwards is failing to be the bi-partisan leader he promised to be during his campaign.

The LAGOP believes this kind of blatant manipulation of voters is undignified for the office Governor Edwards holds. "We hope that Governor Edwards' will fulfill the wishes of Louisiana's voters by supporting positive reforms proposed by conservative legislators," commented LAGOP Chairman Louis Gurvich, "Governor Edwards must support true reforms that will move Louisiana forward."

GURVICH: LAGOP Saddened on Retirement of Congressman Ralph Abraham

We at the Republican Party of Louisiana are saddened to learn of Congressman Ralph Abraham’s decision not to run for re-election for his LA District 5 seat. For six years Congressman Abraham has defended the interests of District 5 tirelessly. His relentless advocacy on behalf of his constituents has meant improvements in their quality of life, access to economic opportunities, and defense of their values.

Among his many achievements as a Representative, Congressman Abraham was able to successfully usher in an expansion of Louisiana’s Rice and Agricultural industries. He achieved this by sponsoring legislation that enabled Louisiana’s agricultural goods to be sold in ever-growing international markets. As a member of the Armed Services, Agriculture, Veteran’s Affairs, and Science, Space, and Technology Committees, Congressman Abraham always applied his vast knowledge and deep passion to solving issues and supporting legislation to make America stronger and a better place for our citizens to live and raise their families.

A true servant leader to his bones, Congressman Abraham has always been a man of his word. Whether that meant continuing to defend our nation through service in the Air Force, serving his patients as a doctor, or staying true to his commitments to the voters, he has earned his place as one of Louisiana’s most honest and trustworthy politicians.Though we at the Republican Party of Louisiana are sad to see Congressman Abraham leave Washington, we are inspired by his determination to end his congressional career by keeping his original promise to the voters that he would only serve three terms.

With his departure, Washington D.C. will be left one-honest man short. On behalf of the Republican Party of Louisiana, I would like to thank this modern Cincinnatus for his service to District 5, the State of Louisiana, and the United States of America. Well done, sir!

Louis Gurvich, Chairman
Republican Party of Louisiana

LAGOP: BREAKING: New Poll Released in Race for Louisiana Governor

Baton Rouge, LA - Today JMC Analytics released their latest poll covering the race for Governor. Democrat John Bel Edwards is losing ground to Republican Eddie Rispone, but this race is close!

This election is too important to sit out. Tell your friends and family, remind your neighbors, and explain to co-workers that we need EVERY vote THIS Saturday!

LAGOP: Republican Party of Louisiana Issues Statement Condemning Democrats' Secretive Impeachment Investigation

Baton Rouge, LA – Republican Party of Louisiana Executive Director Andrew Bautsch released the following statement after the RNC’s Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution in support of President Trump and the Graham-McConnell resolution:

"These partisan closed-door impeachment proceedings deny our President the due process promised to every American. While the Democrats focus on their baseless impeachment witch hunt, Louisiana Republicans will continue to stand with President Trump because of his proven ability to deliver record-setting results for the America people."
###
A copy of the resolution is posted below:
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE GRAHAM-MCCONNELL RESOLUTION DEMANDING HOUSE DEMOCRATS PROVIDE FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS IN THEIR IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION
WHEREAS, Democrats in the House of Representatives have launched a nakedly partisan impeachment investigation of President Donald J. Trump in secret and without affording a sitting President any due process protections;

WHEREAS, in an unprecedented maneuver, House Democrats have launched recklessly into this unfair, unprecedented, and undemocratic process without holding any vote;

WHEREAS, House Democrats have shut out Republican members of the House from being able to participate meaningfully in the proceedings such as by granting equal subpoena power to minority members of the Judiciary Committee;

WHEREAS, House Democrats’ partisan motives are evidenced by their selective leaking of information from the closed impeachment proceedings;

WHEREAS, House Democrats, who from the time of the President’s election have stated their desire to impeach, are trying to void 63,000,000 votes and do through this impeachment fiasco what they cannot achieve at the ballot box; and

WHEREAS, in under three years in office President Trump has amassed an unprecedented number of accomplishments strengthening the United States both at home and abroad; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Executive Committee of the Republican National Committee (RNC) now more than ever wholeheartedly supports President Trump and his administration in making America great again;

RESOLVED, that the RNC condemns House Democrats’ impeachment circus;

RESOLVED, that the RNC wholeheartedly supports both the President in his impeachment defense and congressional Republicans’ efforts to ensure fairness and due process in the face of the Democrats’ ruthless impeachment investigation, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham’s resolution;

RESOLVED, that the RNC calls on the House of Representatives to provide President Trump, like every other American, with due process, to include the ability to confront his accusers, call witnesses on his behalf, and have a basic understanding of the accusations against him that would form any basis for impeachment; and finally be it

RESOLVED, that the RNC calls on the House of Representatives to provide members of the minority with the ability to participate fully in all proceedings and have equal authority to issue subpoenas and other compulsory process.

LAGOP: Soaked

Vice President Mike Pence Unites Louisiana Republicans During Early Voting Event

Kenner, LA – Today the Republican Party of Louisiana hosted a voter turnout event in Jefferson Parish headlined by Vice President Mike Pence. This special event boosted voter engagement on the last day of early voting and amplified the momentum established by Republican early voters across Louisiana.

“We are honored Vice President Pence is in the Bayou State to remind Louisiana voters just how important this election is to President Trump and his Administration,” said LAGOP Executive Director Andrew Bautsch. “John Bel Edwards talks like a moderate but governs like a liberal, forcing the largest tax hike in state history. It is time to fire John Bel Edwards and elect a Republican governor.”

The Vice President was joined by Republican gubernatorial candidates Congressman Ralph Abraham and Businessman Eddie Rispone, additional Republican leaders, supporters, and hundreds of voters from across the state.

LAGOP Digital Ad - "Mad Max"

Republican Party of Louisiana Releases Statements on Left-Wing Democrat Impeachment Conspiracy

Baton Rouge, LA - Today, Nancy Pelosi and other radical Democrats announced the next phase of their attempted coup against the duly elected President of the United States of America.

The LAGOP has released the following statements:

“After an embarrassing Mueller Report and several disastrous debates, democrat leaders have come to the realization they are going to lose to Donald Trump, again," said LAGOP Executive Director Andrew Bautsch. “Now they are going to team up with the media and try to take away your right to vote for him.”

“John Bel Edwards is too scared of President Trump to say anything publicly, but his actions speak louder than words,” commented LAGOP Chairman Louis Gurvich. “From acting as a superdelegate for Hillary Clinton, to refusing to outlaw sanctuary cities in Louisiana, to accusing the President of making racist comments, John Bel Edwards has been on the front lines of "The Resistance" from the beginning.”

Louisiana Republican Executive Committee Announces Endorsements

Baton Rouge, LA - Last week, The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Louisiana proudly announced its endorsements for the upcoming election on October 12.

“Under the failed leadership of John Bel Edwards, Louisiana is the only state in the country losing jobs,” said LAGOP Executive Director Andrew Bautsch. “This group of conservative difference-makers will make Louisiana work again.”

Make sure your friends and family are REGISTERED TO GEAUX VOTE!

September 11 – Deadline to register in person or by mail. September 21 – Deadline to register on GeauxVote Online System.
(Online registrants must show a Louisiana driver's license or ID card to vote.)

Election Day is October 12.
(The LSU/Florida football game is on October 12…so VOTE EARLY!)

Early voting is Sept. 28 – Oct. 5 from 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. (except Sunday, Sept. 29) Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced that sample ballots and polling locations have been finalized and are available for you to view online HERE.

LAGOP: As the radical resistance comes to Louisiana, where is John Bel Edwards?

Baton Rouge, LA - Three leading members of the radical liberal “resistance” are descending on Louisiana this weekend for the College Democrats Summer Conference in New Orleans. 

California Rep. Maxine Waters, “Squad” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams are at Tulane University this weekend, motivating their socialist troops to reelect Governor John Bel Edwards. 

Despite his best efforts to fool Louisiana voters, Edwards’ connections to the radical left are well-established. 

He was a vocal supporter and superdelegate for Hillary Clinton, who advocates for Democrats to “resist, insist, persist, enlist” against President Trump. Far-left groups including the George Soros backed American Bridge, pro-impeachment Indivisible, and Abrams’ Fair Fight 2020 are supporting his reelection. And Edwards even donated $5,000 to Abrams’ failed gubernatorial campaign last year. 

John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Democrats need to answer – do they support the radical positions and hateful statements espoused by Abrams, Tlaib, and Waters? 

Abrams has suggested that illegal immigrants are part of the “blue wave” electorate: “But the thing of it is, the blue wave is African-American. It’s white, it’s Latino, it’s Asian-Pacific Islander. It is disabled. It is differently-abled. It is LGBTQ. It is law enforcement. It is veterans. It is made up of those who've been told that they are not worthy of being here. It is comprised of those who are documented and undocumented." 

Abrams supports efforts to impeach President Trump:VIDEO: “[I]mpeachment is absolutely a lever we need to look at…” 

Abrams attacked law enforcement officers, equating them with terrorists: “Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams said Wednesday night that a program of the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office ‘terrorizes families.’” 

Tlaib used vulgar language when calling for the impeachment of President Trump: VIDEO: “We’re going to go in and impeach the motherf***er.” 

Tlaib supports abolishing ICE and claims that the agency has “militarized” communities: “Southwest Detroit is militarized because of ICE. It’s not keeping our families safe—it’s making families live in fear. It’s an international border neighborhood. [ICE has] shifted toward targeting Americans and our neighbors, folks trying to do the right thing. It’s made immigration a militarized operation. I want it abolished.” 

Waters encouraged her supporters to harass Trump administration officials in public places like restaurants and gas stations: "Let's make sure we show up wherever we have to show up. And if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere.” 

Waters stated that members of the Tea Party movement could “go straight to hell”: This is a tough game. You can't be intimidated. You can't be frightened. And as far as I'm concerned -- the Tea Party can go straight to hell.” 

Waters supports allowing the federal government to take control of private companies:“And guess what this liberal will be all about. This liberal will be all about socializ… uh, uh … would be about [long pause] basically taking over, and the government running all of your companies.” 

LAGOP: DisGraced Notes: Drew Brees should’ve known better than to associate with victim silencer and enabler of a known sexual predator

The local left-wing media is currently OUTRAGED that Saints quarterback Drew Brees appeared in a commercial to promote a program dedicated to getting Bibles into schools. Yes, you read that right. Earlier this week, left-wing ideologues descended on the group and decided to rebrand this clearly pro-Christian advertisement into some manufactured LGBTQ crisis. Then, they decided to make Brees guilty by association. This episode has definitely taught Brees a lesson. No matter how great a guy you are, no matter how much you give back, no matter how important you are to the city – today’s virtue signaling, outrage driven media will always think they know better than you. They will never miss an opportunity to cut you down just to score social points and they will always use their shrinking platform to force their agenda onto you and your family through shame and manufactured outrage. What a stark change in tone from last month when the exact same media outlet was gushing about Brees throwing footballs with their chosen Governor John Bel Edwards, or appearing in a conveniently timed “public service announcement” with the same desperate candidate. That is how it works with today’s Trump-deranged media, ANYTHING is ok, ANYTHING can be justified, as long as it promotes THEIR political agenda, but as soon as you invade their safe space and they feel triggered…watch out. If John Bel Edwards were conservative (LOL), you would have read the headline above in The Advocate a month ago.

• FACT: John Bel Edwards hired a KNOWN sexual predator to be his Deputy Chief of Staff.

• FACT: This same Deputy Chief of Staff sexually harassed another employee in the Edwards Administration.

• FACT: In the middle of the state’s “fiscal cliff” debate, John Bel Edwards paid oversix figures in settlement and legal fees, all paid withTAXPAYER MONEY.

• FACT: Attorneys for John Bel Edwards and his Deputy Chief of Staff included a “non-disparagement clause” as part of the settlement tosilence the victim.

As triggered opinion writer Stephanie Grace hypocritically notes in today's Advocate, “A guy like him (Drew Brees) has to know that any group (or desperate politician running for reelection) would want to have its profile boosted by, well, a guy like him…He really should be more careful about how he lets other people with other agendas use it.” Drew Brees is NOT responsible for every opinion of Focus on the Family, just like Brees is NOT responsible for John Bel Edwards hiring a sexual predator and then silencing his victim. Drew Brees is responsible for throwing touchdowns and winning another Super Bowl. Brees is responsible for the words that come out of HIS mouth. That’s it. Louisiana loves football because it is everything politics isn’t. While the media is using politics to drive us apart – in Louisiana, we use sports to bring folks together. When it comes to football, let’s all just leave our politics on the sidelines.

LAGOP Executive Committee Announces Endorsements for Statewide Offices

Baton Rouge, LA – The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Louisiana is proud to announce its statewide endorsements for the upcoming election on October 12:

Governor
Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone
 
Lt. Governor
Billy Nungesser
 
Attorney General
Jeff Landry
 
Secretary of State
Kyle Ardoin
 
Treasurer
John Schroder
 
Agriculture Commissioner
Mike Strain
 
Insurance Commissioner
Jim Donelon
 

“We can trust this group of candidates to chart a conservative course for Louisiana,” said LAGOP Chairman Louis Gurvich. “A strong Republican leadership team working together will allow Louisiana to grow again and ensure that our children and grandchildren will be able to find high quality jobs right here at home.”
 
“With these candidates leading the charge, the LAGOP will be focused on engaging with and turning out conservative voters,” added LAGOP Executive Director Andrew Bautsch. “We are leveraging new technology and making data-driven decisions that will benefit conservative campaigns down the ballot and across the state.”

LAGOP Releases New Digital Ad for College Football Fans

Baton Rouge, LA – With college football kicking off in Louisiana this weekend, the Republican Party of Louisiana released a new digital ad. The video, titled "JBE vs. College Football", features clips of Governor John Bel Edwards demanding higher taxes and threatening to cancel college football if he didn't get his way.

The digital ad will be featured across multiple online and social media platforms.

“Last year, John Bel Edwards was threatening to kick seniors out of nursing homes and cancel college football if he didn't get to raise taxes." added LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison. “Now he is hoping we forgot about his temper tantrum. The people of Louisiana remember his childish threats. This fall, we fire John Bel Edwards.”


Transcript:

Governor John Bel Edwards: "Tonight I speak to you as no other Louisiana governor has ever spoken to our state. Without legislators approving new revenue this special session, some campuses will be forced to declare financial bankruptcy."

"That means you can say farewell to college football next fall."

"That means you can say farewell to college football next fall."

"That means you can say farewell..."

LAGOP: NEWS UPDATE: Scandals and Controversy Are Surrounding John Bel Edwards (Part II)

Baton Rouge, LA – Yesterday we covered FOUR of the scandals surrounding John Bel Edwards. (You can read Part One here.)

But you guessed it- there’s STILL MORE!

SCANDAL #5

Last year, John Bel Edwards proudly announced that Wanhua Chemical planned to invest one and a quarter billion dollars in a new plastics plant in the St. James community of Convent. 

Louisiana taxpayers will be paying for the privilege: Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat,has pledged a cash grant of more than $4 million to the company.

Those plans were delayed this summer when it was learned that a division of the company sought trade tariff exemptions, and also wanted to have the plant property declared a foreign trade zone through the Port of South Louisiana, both of which measures could mean less tax revenue for the community.

According to analysis from The Washington Times, Kimberly Terrell, Director of Community Outreach at Tulane Environmental Law Clinic in New Orleans and a scientist by training, stated, “In its response to the Land Use Permit Appeal [to St. James Parish], Wanhua falsely claimed that neither Wanhua U.S. nor Wanhua China is owned by the Chinese government.”

However, Ms. Terrell says, “publicly filed documents contradict this claim by proving that Wanhua U.S. is 100% owned by Wanhua China, and that Wanhua China’s ‘ultimate controlling shareholder’ is a municipal government of the PRC. Like all local governments, Yantai is entirely controlled by the PRC central government and the Communist Party of China.” Wanhua even has its own Communist Party committee embedded within the company’s leadership structure.

At the same time the Trump administration is calling China “an economic enemy” and their business practices a threat to “the economic and national security of the U.S.,” John Bel Edwards has identified the People’s Republic of China as Louisiana’s “primary foreign direct investment” partner!

SCANDAL #6

Earlier this month, The Washington Times reported that when John Bel Edwards visited Hollywood in October, he was seeking money, not controversy. Instead, he got both.

Universal Pictures filmed “The Hunt” in New Orleans, Louisiana, earlier this year. The studio selected the location only a few months after Democrat Gov. Edwards traveled to Hollywood to discuss Louisiana’s controversial film tax credit program and raise money for his reelection campaign. Edwards met with Universal Pictures and other studio executives in Los Angeles, California, in October 2018.
 
The production was for “The Hunt,” a recently canceled Universal Studios movie that depicted liberal elites hunting down “deplorables” — a phrase 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton used to describe supporters of then-candidate Donald Trump.

President Trump slammed “Liberal Hollywood” as the “true racists” and decried “The Hunt” for attempting to “inflame and cause chaos.”

Universal canceled the movie’s release, slated for Sept. 27, in the aftermath of the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.

SCANDAL #7

Last summer, while John Bel Edwards was threatening to throw seniors out of nursing homes and cancel LSU Footballbecause of the “fiscal cliff”, the State of Louisiana was forced to spend over $100,000 of taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment suit against his deputy chief of staff.

Most disturbingly, John Bel Edwards, his deputy chief of staff and their attorneys attempted to silence the victim. According to a report fromNOLA.com, as part of the settlement, the woman, Anderson and the Governor’s office cannot make "disparaging remarks" about one another.

Why did John Bel Edwards ever hire Johnny Anderson as deputy chief of staff, after Anderson had previously faced claims of sexual harassment when he worked for Governor Kathleen Blanco more than a decade ago?

SCANDAL #8

Earlier this summer, John Bel Edwards kicked off his campaign for reelection in his childhood hometown of Amite, Louisiana. The event was hosted by Amite Mayor Buddy Bel and emceed by Amite businessman Tom Brumfield.

Yes, this is the same Buddy Bel accused by the Amite Police Chief of cutting the power to the local evidence room and allowing it to be burglarized.

Yes, this is the same Buddy Bel who was subpoenaed by FBI investigators regarding his connection with a vote buying scheme in Tangipahoa Parish.

Yes, this is the same Tom Brumfield that was ALSO subpoenaed by federal agents regarding his involvement with the same vote buying investigation.

According to an exclusive report by The Advocate: The FBI has cast a wide net, examining parish races going back to 2011, two sources stated. Yet agents have taken a special interest in certain political operatives, including Louis Ruffino, a former mayor of Roseland who for years has offered "get out the vote" services to local candidates.

Long-time Tangipahoa Sheriff Daniel Edwards, John Bel Edwards’ brother, said he never hired Ruffino, the north shore operative who is under federal investigation. But John Bel Edwards acknowledged paying Ruffino $8,750 ahead of his 2011 re-election to the Louisiana House of Representatives to put up signs and perform other “routine campaign work”.

SCANDAL #9

Shortly after John Bel Edwards moved into the Governor’s Mansion, the FBI raided his brother Daniel’s Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Department. "We are conducting multiple court authorized actions. The investigations are ongoing. We have no further comment at this time," said Craig Betbez, public information officer for the FBI New Orleans’ office. 

The Advocate reported that three of its enforcement sources said the raid is related to a broader federal investigation of a drug task force that has come under scrutiny for allegedly selling confiscated narcotics and tampering with witnesses.

The task force included several members of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office and was led by Chad Scott, a special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency who has been suspended from duty as a result of the probe, the newspaper reported.

According to a report from NOLA.com, the materials taken by federal agents included a computer from the office of Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards.

"It's very unusual for the FBI to raid the office of a sitting governor's brother, irrespective of whether he's sheriff," one senior law enforcement official said.

The people of Louisiana deserve better. Make Louisiana work again. FIRE John Bel Edwards.

Republican Party of Louisiana Calls for Federal Legislation with Baseball-Style Arbitrationto Stop Surprise Medical Billing

Unanimous Resolution Applauds Sen. Bill Cassidy’s Leadership to Introduce STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act

Baton Rouge, LA – Today, the Republican Party of Louisiana unanimously approved a resolution calling for the federal adoption of Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR), often referred to as baseball-styled arbitration, a free-market solution to stop the practice of surprise medical billing.

It also applauds U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) for his leadership in authoring the STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act and “encourages the entire Louisiana congressional delegation to continue fighting for a legislative solution that encourages free-market-solutions such as the IDR framework and not government rate setting via benchmarking.”

Surprise medical billing occurs when patients receive unexpected and excessive medical bills for health care services that they believed would be covered by their insurance companies.

“Surprise medical billing is driving up the cost of health care for everyone, and a free-market resolution like IDR is the only proven way to solve the problem without unintentionally making it even worse for patients. Some proposals out there – like government price-setting – would do exactly that by limiting patients’ ability to get care close to home from the doctors they trust,” said Louis Gurvich, Chairman of the Republican Party of Louisiana.

Authored by SCC member Lloyd Harsch, the resolution was unanimously approved by the party’s executive committee during today’s Republican State Central Committee meeting.

“The party chose to highlight this issue because it is a critical part of increasing transparency for patients and lowering the costs of healthcare for millions of Americans,” Gurvich added.

The full text of the resolution is available HERE.

Louisiana Republicans Release New Digital Ad Highlighting Infamous Liberal Lies

Baton Rouge, LA – Today, the Republican Party of Louisiana released a new online ad in the build-up to the 2019 election. The digital ad, titled "Liberal Lies" features clips of classic liberal lies told by politicians desperate to cover up the truth.
 
“Just like these candidates he supported for President, John Bel Edwards will say ANYTHING to win an election,” added LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison. “Unfortunately, the people of Louisiana had to learn the hard way that his “honor code” was nothing more than a campaign commercial.”

The digital ad will be featured across multiple online and social media platforms.

LAGOP: Louisiana Gets Soaked as John Bel Edwards Shifts Campaign to Taxpayer Dollars

Baton Rouge, LA – It was clear this weekend that John Bel Edwards didn’t suspend his campaign, he just traded in the RV for a helicopter. And he made sure to save a seat on the helicopter for one of the reporters covering the Governor’s race. Before Barry even had a name, Governor Edwards announced that he would reschedule the rest of his campaign kickoff RV tour.

His campaign staff couldn’t help themselves. They immediately took to social media and started patting themselves on the back.

Their campaign team quickly handed the reigns to the communications staff for the Governor’s Office, who kept right on campaigning. Trying to soak up all the free media coverage that comes with any natural disaster and taking to Twitter to celebrate their success.

Yes, while the residents of Louisiana were scrambling to prepare for inches of rain and storm damage, the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff is bragging about column inches and media coverage. Real classy. But it sure looks like that taxpayer funded helicopter ride paid off.

Those Louisiana residents, searching for the latest weather information, who grew tired of press conferences and staged photo-ops, turned to the Weather Channel for information or maybe their local news…where they were met with JBE’s campaign commercial.

When the Governor wasn’t flying members of the press to his staged photos-ops and wasn’t paying the Weather Channel to show his campaign commercial. He was holding press conferences where at times it appeared, he could barely contain his love for the media spotlight.

Between a press conferences, Governor Edwards was busy making sure he stayed in front the media, by calling into CNN and MSNBC multiple times over the weekend. How many Louisiana residents get their severe weather news from CNN and MSNBNC?

The Governor’s Office originally announced that he would be touring the impacted areas on Sunday but had to cancel those plans because it was too windy to take the helicopter.

Hey Governor, if you really wanted to tour the impacted areas on Sunday, we know where you can find a brand-new RV that isn’t being used.

Of course, this tour had little to do with surveying damage and everything to do with staying in front of the cameras for as long as they will let him. Which is exactly why a new member of the media got offered a free ride on today’s helicopter tour and “press gaggles” were pre-planned for every stop.

When severe weather strikes Louisiana, the real news story is the local men and women who brave the storm to help their neighbors. Not the guy in a different colored, custom embroidered fishing/disaster shirt thrusting himself in front of cameras and microphones from a secure location.

Thank you to the first responders. Thank you to the Louisiana National Guard. Thank you to the local city and parish workers. Thank you to the electrical lineworkers and pump operators. We appreciate the long hours you spent getting Louisiana ready for this weekend and the work you are doing this week to get our communities cleaned up.

Thank you for working when the cameras aren’t running.

###
 

LAGOP: Hosts of JBE’s Campaign Kickoff Targeted in FBI Vote Buying Investigation

Amite, LA – Last weekend, John Bel Edwards kicked off his campaign for reelection in his childhood hometown of Amite, Louisiana. The event was hosted by Amite Mayor Buddy Bel and emceed by Amite businessman Tom Brumfield.

Yes, this is the same Buddy Bel accused by the Amite Police Chief of cutting the power to the local evidence room and allowing it to be robbed.

Yes, this is the same Buddy Bel that was subpoenaed by FBI investigators regarding his connection with a vote buying scheme in Tangipahoa Parish.

Yes, this is the same Tom Brumfield that was ALSO subpoenaed by federal agents regarding his involvement with the same vote buying investigation.

According to an exclusive report by The Advocate: The FBI has cast a wide net, examining parish races going back to 2011, two sources stated. Yet agents have taken a special interest in certain political operatives, including Louis Ruffino, a former mayor of Roseland who for years has offered "get out the vote" services to local candidates.

Long-time Tangipahoa Sheriff Daniel Edwards, John Bel Edwards’ brother, said he never hired Ruffino, the north shore operative who is under federal investigation. But John Bel Edwards acknowledged paying Ruffino $8,750 ahead of his 2011 re-election to the Louisiana House of Representatives to put up signs and perform other “routine campaign work”. The Governor’s spokesman and current campaign manager, Richard Carbo, noted that the payment was properly recorded in campaign finance reports.

“If you believe that John Bel Edwards paid an elderly mayor $8,750 to put-up a few campaign signs… I’ve got some Mardi Gras tickets to sell you,” commented LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison.

Of course, federal investigations connected to the Edwards family have been ongoing in Tangipahoa Parish for generations. While Sheriff, Daniel Edwards has been involved in multiple federal investigations; federal agents even confiscated his computer as evidence in one of their investigations.

Their father, long-time Sheriff Frank Edwards Jr., was also investigated by federal authorities during his campaign for reelection. In fact, former Sheriff Edwards was so frustrated by one federal investigation that he tried to sue a Special Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

It seems the apples didn’t fall far from the tree.

LAGOP: NEW POLL: Democrat Disaster Brewing for Governor John Bel Edwards

42% of all Louisiana Democrats & 64% of Louisiana Democrats under 35 want a new Democratic candidate for Governor

(Baton Rouge, LA) – This week, We Ask America, a nationally recognized polling firm, released the fourth in a series of statewide public opinion polls from across the country. According to the findings of their poll of Louisiana Democrats conducted between June 5th and 6th, Governor Edwards has a lot of work to do to shore up his Democratic base.

The poll finds that 42% of Democrats want to see Edwards get a Democratic primary challenger in the race, a troubling number for any incumbent that rises to a shocking 64% among younger voters. Another troubling sign for Edwards in the We Ask America poll is his lack of support and enthusiasm among young voters.

In addition to 64% support for a primary challenge, just 57% of voters aged 18-35 indicate they are “Certain” to vote in October. These younger Democrats will be crucial for Edwards if he hopes to build a local campaign organization, and his path to victory gets extremely difficult if these voters do not turn out to vote.

It has been a rough few weeks for Louisiana’s Democratic Governor as he found himself in the crosshairs of several Democratic Presidential candidates and even the head of the Louisiana Democrats expressed disgust with her candidate for Governor.

With Louisiana Democratic Party leaders openly criticizing him and a plurality of Democratic voters either supportive of a primary challenge or undecided, John Bel Edwards is becoming more vulnerable by the day.