Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WRKF/WWNO Newsroom.

On Day One of Qualifying, Candidates Tout Being 'Outsiders'

Wednesday was the first day of qualifying for Louisiana elections on the November 8th ballot. So far, fifteen candidates are seeking the Senate seat held by David Vitter, who announced he would not run again after losing the Gubernatorial race to John Bel Edwards. 

Republican John Fleming was the first to qualify, but not the last to suggest that being an outsider was a good thing.

“Washington needs an outsider," he said, "someone who’s willing to speak truth to power, someone who’s willing to take on our party leadership, our Speaker of the House, as well as the Democrats in Washington. I think I’ve proven that through the years.”

Fleming has represented Louisiana's 4th District in the United States House of Representatives since 2009.

State Treasurer John Kennedy, a Republican, is also running.

“I am not part of the club in Baton Rouge. And I do not intend to be part of the club in Washington, D.C.,” explained Kennedy.

Caroline Fayard, a Democrat, is the only woman in the race.

“The truth of the matter is that I, like many of you, am very tired of career politicians who keep kicking the can down the road, because that’s just as far as they can see,” she says.

Democrat Foster Campbell isn’t shrugging off his long political career. He served in the Louisiana Senate for twenty-six years and is currently a Public Service Commissioner in North Louisiana.

“I want to help John Bel Edwards have a partner in Washington. He’s doing his best to straighten out the state," says Campbell, "and I want to be his partner in Washington.”

Republican Congressman Charles Boustany of Lafayette has served eleven years in the United States House of Representatives.  He says that's good evidence for his campaign.

“We need Senators who can make things happen in the Senate. I’ve gotten things done in the House, and trust me, I’ll get things done in the Senate," proclaimed Boustany.

Colonel Rob Maness, a Republican from Madisonville, is expected to qualify later this week.