[StBernard] 2007 Governor's Race

[Westley Annis]

January 22, 2007	 
 	 
Dear Friends-

After much prayer and consultation with my wife, I have made a decision.

With the decision made, I see no point in being coy. I have decided to run
for Governor of the great State of Louisiana. I wanted you to hear this
directly from me, not secondhand from media reports.

Your support, and that of countless friends all across the state, has been
overwhelming. My wife and I are very humbled by the confidence you are
placing in me.

Our state, our communities, and our families have been through some very
tough times. There is clearly a hunger for a new approach to governing.

Over the next few months I will continue to reach out to the great people of
Louisiana. BUT, and this is very important, I will not kick off my campaign
until the summer. In my view this is crucial for our state.

Politics has a way of impeding progress, and Louisiana cannot afford to lose
another second. The upcoming state legislative session this spring is vital.
We cannot afford failure, and the surest way to attain failure is to
politicize every initiative and decision.

Quite frankly, the Governor and our state legislators need the opportunity
to do what is in the best interest of the people. After that, we can have an
election.

It is my belief that campaigns are too long as they are, and that people
grow weary of the barrage of charges and counter charges. I want to avoid
D.C.-style politics with mudslinging, and instead focus on solving the
problems that our state faces.

By choosing to start the campaign in the summer, we will give the people of
Louisiana plenty of time to weigh their choice in this crucial decision
about our state's current and future direction.

Additionally, I have important efforts underway in Congress and must
continue doing all I can to focus the federal government on helping the
people of Louisiana.

So, there you have it.

This was not an easy decision -- I take the responsibilities of governing
very seriously and know our state is at a juncture of tremendous
consequence. I look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail later in the
year. But in the meantime, I have a lot of work left to do representing
Louisiana in Washington.

Bobby