Commentary: Jefferson gives each party a reason to sweat election

Over the past few months, it has become obvious that Capitol Hill Democrats want Congressman Bill Jefferson, D-New Orleans, to just go away. The salacious accusations against Jefferson have become a distraction for Democrats who are trying to charge the GOP as the "party of corruption."

Jefferson was kicked off the House Ways and Means Committee by Democrats whose leaders want him defeated in his re-election bid. This is why the Democratic National Committee is not allocating significant money to Louisiana for a turnout effort on Election Day. This decision killed Francis Heitmeier's chances in the secretary of state's race and reflects a clear directive from House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, who is committed to Jefferson's defeat.

Some Republican leaders have privately commented they would like to see Jefferson win so he could be used as a stick for the GOP to bash Democrats on the corruption issue.

Ieyoub for governor

Fresh rumors are circulating that former Attorney General Richard Ieyoub is interested in running for governor next year. Although he won several statewide campaigns for attorney general, Ieyoub lost close races for Senate in 1996 and governor in 2003. This time there will be no Buddy Leach in the race, so Ieyoub could capture money from trial attorneys looking to back a candidate in the race.

Incredibly, since Ieyoub has a reputation as a rather liberal Democrat, there are reports that the former attorney general will switch to the GOP if he decides to become a candidate in the governor's race.

3rd District competition

In the 3rd Congressional District, Democrat Olangee "O.J." Breech of LaPlace officially announced her candidacy at a press conference in LaPlace. She is a community activist and small business owner.

Breech is entering an already heated campaign between state Sen. Craig Romero, R-New Iberia, and incumbent Congressman Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville.

In the 1st District, incumbent Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-Kenner, is blitzing the New Orleans airwaves with radio advertisements, touting his accomplishments in office, including authorizing legislation to give coastal states a greater share of offshore royalty income. Jindal is expected to cruise to re-election but will face spirited opposition from several candidates, including Libertarian Peter Beary, who is also beginning his radio advertisements. The relatively strong showing from Libertarian Insurance Commissioner candidate S.B.A. Zaitoon, who received 11 percent of the vote in the Sept. 30 primary, encourages Beary.

Heitmeier toast

State Sen. Francis Heitmeier, D-New Orleans, withdrew from the secretary of state's race because the expected voter turnout for the election on Nov. 7 will not be appreciably better than it was on Sept. 30, when only 22 percent of voters went to the polls. Without a strong African-American turnout, no statewide Democratic candidate can win.

To ensure a big turnout among African-American and other Democratic core voters, Heitmeier's campaign would have needed plenty of financial support from the Democratic National Committee. This type of turnout effort is costly and without DNC support, Heitmeier did not have sufficient campaign funds to mount such a massive street operation. Unfortunately for him, the DNC refused to allocate significant campaign money and other resources to his race.

Heitmeier finished second with 28 percent of the vote in the primary, but it was well below expectations for the only major Democrat in the race. Heitmeier and his advisers quickly came to the conclusion that his chances were remote, with the lack of DNC support and since Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco refused to publicly and enthusiastically support his campaign.

State Sen. Jay Dardenne, R-Baton Rouge, will become secretary of state for the next year. In 2007, he is expected to run for a full four-year term. In that election, Democrats hope to recruit a strong candidate to oppose him. In addition, the third-place finisher, Republican Mike Francis of Crowley, says he will run against Dardenne once more in 2007.