Jindal throws support behind Alario for Senate president

Gov. Bobby Jindal is supporting Sen. John Alario to be president of the Louisiana Senate in the new term that begins in January, likely assuring Alario’s election to the post. “My staff has reached out to nearly every senator, and a majority of the Senate has committed to support John,” says Jindal, who announced his support at a press conference in Baton Rouge this afternoon. Alario, of Westwego, switched to the Republican Party last year after decades as a Democrat, including two terms as House speaker under former Gov. Edwin Edwards, from 1984 to 1988 and from 1992 to 1996. His bid to be Senate president has faced criticism from several Republicans, including U.S. Sen. David Vitter, who consider Alario a throwback to good ole boy politics and the Edwards era of cronyism. Lawmakers will choose their leaders in a January organizational session, but the governor’s preferences traditionally help determine who get the jobs.