[StBernard] Carter's loss to Jefferson could harm state Senate bid

[Westley Annis]

Carter's loss to Jefferson could harm state Senate bid 
by Jeff Crouere 
02/19/2007  
  
State Rep. Karen Carter, D-New Orleans, is expected to run for the state
Senate seat of term-limited Diana Bajoie, D-New Orleans, this fall. Carter
lost the second Congressional District runoff to Bill Jefferson last fall
and many political insiders believe her career was harmed by the big defeat.

During the race, Carter was labeled liberal on social issues and criticized
for several of her contracts with state government. If Carter runs, she
might face her old foe, Republican Joe Lavigne, from the congressional race.
Lavigne finished fourth in the primary and was critical of Carter's
philosophy and conduct. 

The district includes parts of the Warehouse District, Central Business
District, French Quarter, Lakeview and Central City. Lavigne is also looking
at the state representative position Carter will vacate if she runs for
Senate. 


Senate scramble 

With state Sen. Walter Boasso, R-Arabi, jumping into the governor's race,
look for a contested election for his seat. 

The first candidate to make a move will be state Rep. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell,
who has been eying the post ever since Boasso made noise about running for
governor. 

Joining Crowe in the race will likely be state Rep. Nita Hutter,
R-Chalmette. 


Broussard challengers absent 

Several months ago, it looked like Jefferson Parish President Aaron
Broussard would face serious competition for re-election this fall. Now it
appears he may escape a tough re-election battle. Parish Councilman-at-large
John Young has not made up his mind and is being encouraged by political
insiders to run for Congress if Bobby Jindal is elected governor. 

State Sen. Ken Hollis, R-Kenner, is now leaning toward a race for the Public
Service Commission against Jay Blossman in 2008. If Young and Hollis opt for
other races, there is no serious opponent on the horizon for Broussard. 


Another District 79 candidate 

Kenner insurance agent Scott Masson officially announced his candidacy for
state House District 79. 

Masson is a Republican who served on the State Central Committee. He joins
Republican Parish Executive Committee member Tony Ligi, insurance agent
Marie Clesi, Kenner resident Jack Rizzuto, and Jefferson Parish School Board
member Gene Katsanis in the race to succeed Rep. Danny Martiny, R-Metairie,
who is term limited. 


Wide-open race 

Slidell state Rep. Pete Schneider, R-Slidell, will vacate his position to
run for the state Senate position of term-limited Tom Schedler. Schneider
will face Jack Donahue, CEO of Donahue Favret Contractors, in an expensive
race that could approach $750,000 per candidate. 

The race to replace Schneider will be less expensive but just as
competitive. At least three well-known candidates will run: Slidell
Councilman Greg Cromer, car dealer Arby Williams and former St. Tammany
Police Juror Liz Teague. At this point, no one is the favorite and other
candidates may join the fray. 


Controversy in District 94 

A special election will take place March 10 in state House District 94, a
seat held for 30 years by Rep. Peppi Bruneau, R-New Orleans. 

Bruneau resigned, forcing a special election to fill the seat for the next
few months. Another election will take place in the fall, and many in the
district are raising concerns about the timing and cost of the special
election, which has an estimated price tag of $120,000. Nothing else will be
on the March 10 ballot, and critics believe the race could have easily been
included with a judgeship election March 31. 

Joining Jeb Bruneau, Peppi's son, are five other candidates, three Democrats
and two Republicans, including attorney and former District A New Orleans
City Council candidate Nick Lorusso. Deborah J. Langhoff is considered the
most formidable Democrat because of her backing by District A Councilwoman
Shelly Midura. Jeb is considered the favorite in the race, but a runoff is a
strong possibility. 

House District 94 covers areas still heavily damaged from Katrina, including
Lakeview, Lake Vista and City Park.. 


Jeff Crouere is the host of "Ringside Politics," which airs at 8:30 p.m.
Friday and 10 p.m. Sunday on WLAE-TV 32 and from noon to 2 p.m. Monday
through Friday on WOMN 1110 AM on the North Shore and KVOL 1330 AM in
Lafayette. Reach him at jeff at ringsidepolitics.com or visit
www.ringsidepolitics.com.