INDReporter

OMG, Landry's rich!

by Walter Pierce

Or, have we arrived at a peculiar place wherein one Republican makes a campaign issue out of a fellow Republican's personal wealth? That's a rhetorical question. Of course we have.

Photo Illustration

By Walter Pierce

U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry is a wealthy man, and that's not sitting well with U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, his wealthy opponent in the race for the 3rd Congressional District.

In a recent post on LAFactCheck.com, an anti-Landry website operated by Camp Boustany, the New Iberia tea partier is assailed for - gasp! - having him some money. Lots of money. A $13 million net worth according to the Center for Responsive Politics. (The Washington Post estimates Landry's net worth to be just over $8 million.)

If accurate, that would make Landry the 39th most wealthy member of Congress. Boustany - by comparison at OpenSecrets.org, the website of the CRP, which tracks political money - is a pauper, coming in with a 2010 net worth estimated between $1 million and $1.7 million. Poor guy, he's merely the 160th wealthiest member of Congress.

But LAFactCheck.com grinds some pretty tasty sausage out of Landry's wealth, suggesting he's been padding his pockets thanks to his gig in Congress:

Even worse, since Landry announced his run for Congress in 2010, he has been living high off the hog. Landry's net worth jumped 233% since announcing his initial bid for Congress. Joining liberals Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry in raking in the cash, there's no question Jeff has made it big since going to Washington. Since we know Landry is a pro at making backroom deals and soliciting under-the-table agreements for votes, it should come as no surprise that Landry went hog wild once he got to Washington when special interests came knocking.

Does Landry know that during the time his wealth increased nearly two and a half fold, the average American family's net worth dropped almost 40%? While American families are hurting, Landry has been partying it up with liberal Hollywood celebrities Snoop Dogg and Kanye West. With antics like that during the toughest economic period for the average American since the Great Depression, can we trust out-of-touch Washington politician Jeff Landry to fight for what's right for the average South Louisiana citizen?
(Be sure to check out this Snoop Dog/Kanye West link referenced above.)