Editor’s note: This column has been updated to include new information reflecting Sen. Beth Mizell’s decision to not pursue Roger Villere’s Louisiana Republican Party seat.
When Roger Villere became the chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party 14 years ago, the only statewide GOP official was the late Secretary of State Fox McKeithen. But as Jeremy Alford notes in his latest column, the political landscape has changed substantially since that time.
“Today, of course, Gov. John Bel Edwards is now the only Democrat in statewide office, representing a sort of bookend for Villere in the unpaid position of chair,” Alford writes. “Villere has become more public lately about his decision to not seek re-election to the top-tier party job. In response, an internal election to replace him has started to crackle and hiss. The Republican State Central Committee, an elected body, is expected to host an actual vote during the first quarter of 2018.”
Alford says it should be a competitive race—especially for a post that hasn’t been vacant in nearly a decade and a half—and party leaders could go in several different directions to replace Villere.
“For example, they could take a cue from the Louisiana Democratic Party, which has Sen. Karen Carter Peterson of New Orleans as its chair,” he writes. “Placing a regional elected official into the position could have its benefits and some GOP faithfuls have been encouraging two legislators—Rep. Barry Ivey of Central and Sen. Beth Mizell of Bogalusa—to give some consideration to the job.” Mizell, though, said on Monday evening that she has decided against pursuing the opportunity and will continue to focus on her Senate district.
Some members favor a fresh blood candidates who could work tireless, adapt to changes and grow in the job, Alford says. Others, however, favor candidates with proven experience. And for some diehards, Alford says it’s no longer a matter of whether you’re a conservative, it’s how conservative you are.
“Whoever does get selected by the Republican State Central Committee will have to find a way to keep the party united,” he writes.
Jeremy Alford publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com. Follow him on Twitter, or on Facebook. He can be reached at JJA@LaPolitics.com.
