Louisiana Politics: Another congressman ponders a campaign for La. governor
Former Congressman John Fleming of Minden, who’s currently serving as the federal deputy assistant secretary of health information technology reform, is seriously considering jumping into the developing race for governor, according to several sources.
Friends of the Webster Parish resident add that he has not yet set a timetable for making a final decision.
Fleming’s ability to engage in political activities is limited due to his current job in President Donald Trump’s administration.
If Fleming were to run for governor, he would have to resign his post before assembling any type of a campaign apparatus.
The White House raised eyebrows last Wednesday by resubmitting Fleming’s nomination to a post in the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Trump initially tapped Fleming last year, but he did not get a confirmation vote before the adjournment of the 115th Congress.
Besides incumbent Gov. John Bel Edwards, Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham have officially declared their candidacies. Sen. Sharon Hewitt of Slidell is expected to make a final decision soon as well.
New political shop at LABI
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, an influential voice at the Capitol in Baton Rouge, is transitioning into the 2019 elections cycle by repositioning key staffers and adding new resources to its political operations.
The most noticeable change comes courtesy of data guru John Diez, who’s making his lance free again by trading in his title as political director for an outside consulting contract.
Bo Staples has also been hired as LABI’s new director of political action committees, which means he’s now the point man for NORTHPAC, EASTPAC, SOUTHPAC and WESTPAC.
Staples may be best known for his work with the Louisiana Republican Party, but he has worked for U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and other politicos.
LABI President Stephen Waguespack said it was another step in the association’s evolution.
“The reality is our political world has changed, the challenge is more demanding, and our approach must evolve to meet that new demand,” he said.
A few other names are being pulled in as part of the political operations, including Courtney Baker for strategic fundraising, Marie Centanni as head of the Louisiana Free Enterprise Institute, Mariah Manuel as political manager and Renee Amar as deputy PAC director.
As for what happens on the ground, LaPolitics asked Waguespack and Diez if LABI would play as hard locally in 2019 as it did in 2018.
“Local issues impact state issues, so there’s a benefit to getting involved on that level,” said Waguespack. “But it just depends on the issue.”
Diez added that term limits have made it a necessity for associations to begin looking more local.
“It has also made recruiting all the more important,” he said.
Political History: Tracking Trump
Last week, President Donald Trump visited Louisiana to speak to the American Farm Bureau’s convention.
A full complement of elected officials, including Gov. John Bel Edwards, Senate President John Alario and the congressional delegation were on hand for his visit.
However, this was not Trump’s first adventure into Louisiana politics with Alario and a Gov. Edwards.
In 1993, with gaming just starting to expand into Louisiana, Trump wanted to buy-in on the action.
According to author Tyler Bridges in "Bad Bet on the Bayou," Trump unveiled plans for a riverboat casino, the “Trump Princess,” which was set to be docked on the Mississippi River in New Orleans.
To handle his lobbying in Baton Rouge and the casino licensing process, the New Yorker hired Bob D’Hemecourt, a close friend of then-Gov. Edwin Edwards.
D’Hemecourt was able to secure Trump an invitation to dine with Edwards at the Governor’s Mansion, along with then-Speaker John Alario and several other lawmakers.
Trump arrived in Baton Rouge on the evening of Aug. 25. But unfortunately for him, the message from the governor was not as good as the food at their dinner.
“I told him I was sorry, it wouldn’t be in the cards,” Edwards later told The Advocate.
They said it
“As we say in Louisiana, you’re as mean as a mama wasp.” —U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, to Attorney General nominee Bill Barr, on CNN
“They love to to go where movies were shot and people were shot.” —Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, on film tourism, at the Baton Rouge Press Club
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford and Rabalais on Twitter via @LaPoliticsNow.