[StBernard] Congressional attention

[Westley Annis]

Congressional attention 


Losing gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Walter Boasso, D-Arabi, is being
courted to run for the First Congressional District seat being vacated by
Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal. Boasso ran second in the race for governor with 17
percent of the vote but won St. Bernard Parish and is relatively popular in
the metropolitan New Orleans area. Boasso would run in a Democratic Party
primary and would be the favorite to make the general election. 

Several prominent Republicans are testing the waters for the congressional
race. Former Gov. Dave Treen has already announced his interest. Also
looking at the race is state Sen. Steve Scalise, R-Metairie; Jefferson
Parish at-Large Councilmen Thomas Capella and John Young; St. Tammany state
Rep. Tim Burns, R-Mandeville; outgoing state Sens. Art Lentini, R-Kenner,
and Tom Schedler, R-Mandeville; St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis;
and Slidell Mayor Ben Morris. 

The special election will most probably be called in the first quarter of
2008, possibly with the Feb. 9 presidential primary. Since the race will be
held earlier than other congressional races, it will attract national
attention and could be a bellwether for the presidential election in the
fall. Expect a relatively short but very expensive campaign.