[StBernard] Lt. Governor's Race

[Westley Annis]

Editor's note: Last day of early voting is today (go during the LSU game to
avoid lines).

This article, at the very bottom, explains why you should vote for Jay
Dardenne for Lt. Governor.

Dardenne, Fayard trade jabs

 

By MARSHA SHULER
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Oct 23, 2010 - Page: 10A
Republican lieutenant governor candidate Jay Dardenne on Friday questioned
Democrat contender Caroline Fayard's record of voting in only half of
Louisiana's recent elections.

"Going back to 2007, in seven out of 14 elections you chose not to vote,
including the election that included the governor," Dardenne said.

"Why?" Dardenne asked Fayard during the only televised forum in advance of
the Nov. 2 election.

"It's my recollection I voted every time I was able to," Fayard replied. She
said she voted by mail ballot sometimes and wondered whether they got
counted.

The issue came up as the candidates asked each other questions at the forum
sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Later, Fayard said in an interview that a 50 percent voting record is better
than most in Louisiana. She wondered aloud why her voting record should be
an issue in the lieutenant governor's race.

She said Dardenne in his current job of secretary of state and in charge of
elections should be doing a better job of promoting voter access.

That brought a sharp response from Dardenne.

"Maybe we should pick her up and drive her to the polls," Dardenne said.

Then, he quickly added, that the Secretary of State's Office has "a
tremendous voter outreach program with no budget to speak of" and there's
greater access to voting than when he took office.

Dardenne and Fayard are running in a special election to fill the year or so
left in the term of Democrat Mitch Landrieu. Landrieu resigned as lieutenant
governor earlier this year when he became New Orleans mayor. The winner
would have to run for re-election next fall for a full four-year term.

The lieutenant governor manages state culture, recreation and tourism
efforts. The office is also first in line of succession should anything
happen to the governor.

The candidates answered questions ranging from whether they would give up
outside financial interests to what grade they would give Gov. Bobby Jindal
and President Barack Obama and to what their top priorities would be as
lieutenant governor.

Fayard said she would "absolutely" give up financial interests, which
include income from video poker businesses.

"I do not think it's correct to serve in any kind of executive capacity
being generously compensated to receive any type of outside money," said
Fayard, a lawyer.

She said she wants to be full-time lieutenant governor.

Dardenne said he has no plans to give up limited income he receives from a
private law practice and from delivering a two-and-a-half hour show about
"Why Louisiana Ain't Mississippi" for special groups.

"I believe it's a great promotional effort for Louisiana," Dardenne said.
"It builds pride among the people of the state."

Dardenne said he wants to make sure that a 50-year law office employee stays
employed. He said he does not take vacations and works on weekends to do the
limited practice.

In a quick-fire round of panelist questions, Dardenne gave Jindal a grade of
"B-plus" while Fayard gave him a "B."

Fayard gave Obama a grade of "B-plus" while Dardenne gave the president an
"F."