Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says he'll seek re-election to his current position in 2015, rather than running for governor.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says he'll seek re-election to his current position in 2015, rather than running for governor.
Strain, a Republican former lawmaker and veterinarian, announced his plans Sunday on his Facebook page. He says friends and supporters asked him to run again to lead the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and he thinks that is where he can best serve the state.
In office since 2008, Strain says he's reduced his budget by 31 percent since starting the job, cut his staff by 38 percent and streamlined his agency.
Several Republicans are mentioned as possible gubernatorial candidates, including U.S. Sen. David Vitter and Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne. One Democrat has said he plans to run so far: state Rep. John Bel Edwards, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.