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.

Sen. Ted Cruz Endorses Sen. David Vitter for Louisiana Governor

Photo source: Politico

The following was released today regarding a major endorsement in Sen. David Vitter's run for Louisiana Governor: 

"We are less than one week away from the #1 race in America this fall. And it is not for the U.S. House or Senate, it’s for the next Governor of Louisiana.

I’ve had the pleasure of serving with David Vitter in the U.S. Senate, and he and I have fought side-by-side over and over again. Together, we've led the fight against President Obama's unconstitutional amnesty, and together, we've led the fight to defund Planned Parenthood.

David and I have together led the fight to eliminate the congressional exemption from Obamacare, and just this week we have joined together to lead the fight to eliminate federal funding for “sanctuary cities” who harbor illegal immigrants.

Will you join me in helping elect my colleague and friend, Senator David Vitter?

But that’s not all. He’s thoughtfully been studying how to face the challenges in Louisiana.

He’s passionate about Louisiana, and I know he’ll meet the challenges head on with strong leadership and real solutions. Look, we’re neighbors in Texas, and we share a lot of the same values. Louisiana deserves a governor who will stand up and fight for free-market principles and the Constitution.

I hope you’ll join me supporting David Vitter."

-Ted Cruz

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.

Tell Me Again How Dardenne Is A Conservative

You know it's bad when the Democrat in the Governor's race won't consider personal tax increases, but Jay Dardenne will. 

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Photo source: LAGOP

Last evening, "conservative" Democrat John Bel Edwards appeared at a meeting in St. Tammany Parish with Karen Carter Peterson, state senator and head of the Louisiana Democrat Party.  She is also the same person that stated any criticism of Obama is paramount to racism.

Bel Edwards is no "conservative" Democrat, as evidenced in one of his recent debate performances. He has gone on record stating that he support Obama, supports Planned Parenthood while pretending to be pro-life and supports his Party, in general.

Louisiana doesn't need to fall for another sheep in wolves' clothing.  This guy is a dyed in the wool liberal Democrat, as evidenced by past statements and his "running crew", the likes of Karen Carter Peterson.  As the old saying goes, birds of a feather flock together.

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,

Louisiana AFP Releases Legislative Scorecard and New "Crickets" Commercial

Photo source: LouisianaScorecard.com

Louisiana's Americans for Prosperity released the following by email today, which included the above commercial now being aired on radio throughout the State of Louisiana:

As you know, we worked hard all Summer to knock on your neighbors' doors and let them know what their lawmakers did in Baton Rouge this year. They raised taxes on Louisianans by over $700 million. They supported a scheme that could usher in Obamacare's Medicaid expansion into the state under the next administration. It was shortsighted, and it's not the way to fix our spending problem. 

Additionally, the legislative voting record on these taxes can be found at LouisianaScorecard.com.

LAGOP Issues Release on John Bel Edwards' Debate Performance

Photo source: YouTube

Jason Dore' with the Louisiana Republican Party issued the following email regarding statements made by John Bel Edwards during last night's Governor's debate in New Orleans:

Liberal John Bel Edwards exposed his true liberal self at the WDSU gubernatorial forum last night.

Here are a few of Edwards' greatest hits, for the record:

Liberal John Bel Edwards exposed his true liberal self at the WDSU gubernatorial forum last night.

Here are a few of Edwards' greatest hits, for the record:

"I SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENT." The Louisiana democrats' standard-bearer, Rep. John Bel Edwards, doubled down on his support for the liberal democrat policies of President Obama.

"THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS I AM A DEMOCRAT. I SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENT." The entire quote.

"I BELIEVE WE SHOULD LET THAT PLAY OUT AND LEARN ALL THE FACTS. ONE OF THE FACTS IS PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOES PROVIDE PREVENTATIVE HEALTH SERVICES, CANCER SCREENINGS, BREAST EXAMS, AND OTHER NEEDED HELP SERVICES. THE ONLY THING I WILL SUGGEST IS BEFORE WE CLOSE PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOWN, WE KNOW THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING ABORTIONS IN LOUISIANA..."

In supporting government funding for Planned Parenthood, John Bel Edwards used the abortion industry's often repeated, yet untrue narrative about the nature of the abortion provider's services. The fact is Planned Parenthood is currently building a $4.2 million, 8,000 square foot abortion clinic in New Orleans and does not own nor operate a single mammogram machine in the state of Louisiana. 

###

Why Is This Lawyer Spending So Much Money Against Vitter's Campaign

Photo source: Louisiana Record

Trial lawyer John Carmouche, partner in the Talbot, Carmouche & Marcello law firm out of Baton Rouge, has been spending in excess of $1,000,000 to fund a PAC that has been railing against Sen. David Vitter's campaign for Louisiana Governor.  According to this site, Carmouche provided $600,000 in cash and another $500,000 in loans to the Louisiana Water Coalition PAC.  In addition, Carmouche is listed as the only donor to that PAC.

Could this action be the result of Vitter's pledge to enact tort reform within his administration?  And could it also be a result of Carmouche himself making millions in legacy lawsuits against the oil and gas industry?

This is an obvious response by trial lawyers in this state that are seriously concerned about a Vitter win in the Governor's race.  It's also a sign that Vitter will be a force to contend with if he does win the fall election.

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.”

Jay Dardenne's "Birthday Bash"

Sen. David Vitter's office has released the below video and documentation showing Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne's taxpayer funded trip to Europe. 

The state documents are below and can be found at this website.

Debating the Future of Iberia Parish

Below is a video of the debate last week between David Ditch and Larry Richard, both candidates for Iberia Parish President.  

The Very Liberal Jay Dardenne

In what can be called a history lesson on the "Republican" Jay Dardenne's voting record, Cajun Conservatism would like to take the time to revisit his history while a member of the Louisiana legislature.

While touting himself as a fiscal conservative, Dardenne has supported higher fees, taxes and spending. Additionally, his record on abortion is not quite stellar.

This list is several years old, but nonetheless, he cannot shake the RINO label he so richly deserves. 

Why Media Won't Report on Scott Angelle Skipping Public Appearances

Photo source: NOLA.gov

The media loves to point out if Sen. David Vitter misses a forum gubernatorial forum. Vitter has far more reason to miss forums and debates than anyone because of his job in the U.S. Senate requires him to be voting and present in DC most weeks and he has a far more grueling schedule in the state holding town hall meetings, running seven offices, and representing the entire state. 

Scott Angelle, however, has no such excuse. By our count, he's missed at least four gubernatorial forums in the last few weeks. Alliance for Good Government, Campaign for Healthcare for Everyone Gubernatorial Forum, Northshore Old Fashioned Straw Poll and Caucus, and the Region 1 Republican Women Gubernatorial Forum.

But why is he skipping so many and why won't the media cover it?

For one, the more he is out in public, the more questions he is getting about his record. Most people didn't know until recently that he was a lifelong Democrat until 2010 and voted in Obama's first Presidential Primary. And hardly anyone knew about his role in the Bayou Corne Sinkhole or how he quit five days after it collapsed. Voters like to know these things, and Angelle clearly doesn't like to answer. 

The reason the media won't cover it is simple. They have an unhealthy obsession with attacking Sen. Vitter.  We aren't blaming the media for protecting Angelle. We are blaming them for being lazy and only reporting biasedly what they want, which is to attack Vitter. 

Mitch Landrieu Leaves City to Attend Out-Of-State Functions While City Burns

Photo source: NOLA.gov

New Orleans' "mayor", Mitch Landrieu, who has defied a court order to comply with the payment requirements regarding millions in back payments to firefighters, has decided to forgo a house arrest threat and attend out of state functions last week, all the while the city falls further and further into violence.

Per the NOPD Major Offense Log, several violent crimes have occurred during his time away from the city. 

Keep Louisiana Working Executive Director Anthony Ramirez released the following statement:

“Never one to let important city business keep him at home—even with with a public health crisis and crime epidemic—Mayor Landrieu has left the city behind to further his own political ambition.”
 
“Mayor Landrieu has seemingly turned his back on the city, traveling out of state when the city needs him the most. Louisiana cannot afford to have another absent politician with a personal political agenda." 

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.

Have You Heard of the Soldier Running for Louisiana Senate Arrested for a Seatbelt Violation?

Photo sources: Facebook

Put this one under "the good ol' boy network" in Louisiana politics.  It seems that Stewart Cathey, a veteran of the United States armed services, was arrested last week for an unpaid seatbelt violation.  However, the kicker in this story is that Cathey, who inadvertently overlooked the ticket while preparing for deployment to Afghanistan, was willing to pay the fines and fees associated with the ticket, but was ordered to jail by Judge Tammy D. Lee.  Could this possibly be politically motivated?  Well, Cathey's opponent in this race is none other than recent Republican Party switch, Jim "Big Lake" Fannin, who is running to succeed Bob Kostelka. 

Col. Rob Maness, former candidate for the Louisiana Senate seat in DC, had this to say regarding Cathey in his endorsement:

“I call for an investigation for impeachment against Judge Tammy D. Lee, the official who forced the arrest, and an ethics investigation into Cathey’s opponent, State Representative Jim “Big Lake” Fannin and current Senator Bob Kostelka who apparently had information on the seatbelt charge and arrest before Cathey even knew about it," said Maness. 

Maness added, "I respectfully call on the LA GOP leadership, all elected officials and veterans in Louisiana to condemn these career politicians, withdraw all support for them and endorse Mr. Cathey.  Is this really how we are going to treat our heroes?”

Cathey issued the following statement last week when he was arrested and subsequently bonded out:

Let me first say thank you to everyone for being here today to support me. As many of you are now aware, in September of 2009, I was issued a ticket by the City of Monroe for not wearing my seatbelt. Eight short days later, I deployed to Afghanistan as a member of the US Army where I spent the next year fighting for the country we all love and hold so dear.While I was in Afghanistan, I honestly forgot about my seatbelt ticket, because as one might imagine that was the furthest thing from my mind. My mind was focused on keeping my team mates safe, keeping myself alive and getting back home to my family, just as is the case with any soldier who as every been fortunate enough to wear our nations uniform. Thankfully, the Lord allowed me to come home and gave me the opportunity to find new ways to serve my state and country. Is my serving my nation overseas an excuse, or a crutch, ABSOLUTELY not, I would never use my service to my nation as an excuse! This is nothing more than me simply forgetting to pay a ticket during a very stressful time in my life.

All of this is what brings us here today, and most likely, were I not a candidate for the State Senate I would never have even remembered that I had been issued a ticket for not wearing my seatbelt.

Had it not been for my opponent and his political supporters and advisers reminding me of this ticket on September 11th, the day after qualifying, and making it an issue in this campaign, I likely would never have even remembered it. Over the last 6 years, I have not received any paperwork documenting that there was ever a warrant. During this time I have been able to renew my driver’s license and purchase vehicles without my license being flagged due to a warrant, nor has anything related to this issue ever come up.

Since being reminded of this ticket by my opponents, I have exhausted all efforts to try to pay the fines or penalties associated with it, because I am admitting I made a mistake, and I want to and am willing to pay any fines in order to make this right as is normally the way a situation like this is handled. But for some reason I am being denied the right to simply pay my fine and penalties, and I am instead being forced to be arrested, and required to bond out over a simple seat belt violation from 6 years ago.  It has become apparent to me that my opponents will stop at nothing to protect their candidates and the good ole boy system, even to the point of abusing the justice system.

I hope and pray that the voters of District 35 will not be distracted by this issue, but instead hear my message: Louisiana needs new leadership in Baton Rouge to right the ship from the mess that my opponent has created.

I hope that you, the voters, will understand that while I was serving in combat overseas, the furthest thing from my mind was a seatbelt violation. My full concentration and attention was on my mission of keeping America safe by defeating Al Qaeda and the Taliban, supporting my fellow troops, and coming back home safely. This type of treatment is what we are seeing all over America right now when our service men and women return home from war, and it is another example that we have to support our Veterans, who have sacrificed so much.

What we're seeing today is the ugly side of politics. People ask me all the time why I'd want to get involved in something so nasty and underhanded.

Ironically, this situation is exactly why I'm running. The career politicians like Jim Fannin will clearly stop at nothing to get back to the good ole boys club in Baton Rouge. We don't need people who will stoop to such cutthroat tactics. We need real leadership to turn this state around.

Just as I served my country around the world now I want to serve my state in the Senate. I need your support and most importantly I need your prayers. We deserve better than what we've had, and I hope you can trust that I'm the man for the job.

Is this the way we thank our veterans that serve our country day in and day out?  Or, better yet, is this how scared the elite in this state really are about holding onto their sacred cows?  Voters of this state should not stand for this and should throw out all of "the good ol' boys" in Louisiana this fall.