The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is expected to achieve “big PAC” status by the end of the year for its four political action committees, which will allow the group to double the amount of money it gives to candidates. Right now, as “small PACs,” LABI’s NorthPAC, SouthPAC, WestPAC and EastPAC can individually provide candidates with a maximum contribution of $2,500. If all four PACs get behind a single candidate, that politico can capture $10,000. Moving into the 2015 statewide and legislative cycle, a $5,000 or $20,000 donation must sound tempting to campaigns, and will be a major carrot during the regular session. The PACs started accepting online donations earlier this fall (through northpacla.org, southpacla.org, westpacla.org and eastpacla.org) and the goal is to boost the membership of all four, separately, to 250 donors, with each giving a minimum of $50. That threshold must be achieved for so-called big PAC status. Brian Landry, LABI’s vice president of political action, says most of the PACs are just a few members away from that threshold, with NorthPAC needing the most, about 10 new $50 members before Dec. 31. But it should have a bow around it by Christmas morning. “With that said we are not going to stop fundraising for a minute,” says Landry. “Well, we might take off Christmas Day, but otherwise it is full steam ahead for 2015. This is a critical election cycle, and we want to be fully prepared to support highly qualified pro-business candidates.” That may or may not include the governor’s race. When asked about the top of the ballot, LABI’s decision-makers have said it’s still up in the air. “Our PACs will be vetting all candidates and looking at this race very closely,” Landry says.
—In the upcoming special election for House District 66, former Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Darrell Ourso says he plans to qualify to run. An investment representative, he founded the Ourso Financial Group in 2012 and serves on the executive board for the Istrouma Area Council for the Boy Scouts of America. He served nine years on the Metro Council, from 1999 to 2008. Also said to be eyeing the local legislative race are two attorneys, Rick Bond and Susan Nelson. Bond has made a name for himself in Baton Rouge in the real estate business and through other ventures. Already announced for the race, and with support from LABI’s EastPAC, is Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso. All are Republicans, except Nelson, who has no party affiliation but did previously work for the Louisiana Democratic Party. A special election for House District 66 has been set for Feb. 21, with a runoff if needed on March 28. Qualifying begins Jan. 7. LaPolitics is tracking all of next year’s legislative races and has updates on 23 different House and Senate districts.
—With the 2014 U.S. Senate race, East Baton Rouge Parish reinforced its status as a leading force in statewide Louisiana elections. EBR voters cast 131,389 ballots in the Dec. 6 runoff, more than the next most-active parish, Jefferson, which accounted for 109,672 votes. U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu carried EBR in the runoff, besting Congressman Bill Cassidy by six points, down from her 16-point advantage in the parish in 2008. It’s a clear sign that Baton Rouge has become a voter-rich hub for statewide politicos. As such, it should start receiving special attention in coming elections. LaPolitics has an infographic with additional details on local voting and a statewide comparison.
They said it: “You walk around with a scissor in your purse and probably a roll of red tape to cut…” —Parish Council Chairman Daniel Lorraine criticizing the publicity-seeking efforts of Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph, in The Comet.
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.
