INDReporter

Guillory to save the lost through ... tourism

by Patrick Flanagan

America is lost, says state Sen. Elbert Guillory, and that's the reason he'll be running for Lieutenant Gov. come 2015.

State Sen. Elbert Guillory

America is lost, says state Sen. Elbert Guillory, and that's the reason he'll be running for lieutant governor come 2015.

In a Youtube video (done professionally, it's worth noting) announcing his candidacy, Guillory cites employment, education and crime as the three main tenets of his campaign. Guillory's announcement means his Senate seat will be up for grabs in 2015.

"Today, we are a nation in crisis," says Guillory. "Crisis in leadership, crisis in unity and crisis in our relationship with God. It's time for the party of values to lead America out of this desert where we've been wandering."

The Louisiana lieutenant governor position is more or less ceremonial in relation to the governor's office, serving primarily as chief state cheerleader with the state Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism under its auspices.

Guillory's announcement was expected, and comes on the heels of a busy year for the Opelousas senator, who became something of a GOP darling when another of his Youtube videos announcing his return to the Republican Party went viral in June. The "Why I am a Republican" video, which as of this posting had been viewed 982,278 times, was followed by a series of additional Youtube videos further touting his conservative bona fides on issues like abortion, gun rights and religion.

Guillory also made headlines this year for denying his representation of an Opelousas woman in a lawsuit against St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz, one of the senator's political allies. Over the years, the two have contributed to one another's campaign funds, but when the story blew up on KATC-TV3, Guillory claimed conspiracy. The stench of it all was a little too much for Guidroz, who told the TV station he wished his pal would just cut the shenanigans and own up to the lawsuit, which, court documents prove, he did file (even appearing in court as the woman's attorney).

Watch Guillory's announcement video in full below.