John Kennedy still has to win his U.S. Senate bid before the post of state treasurer opens up, but that hasn’t stopped a large slate of legislators from making very quiet moves.
They really don’t have much of a choice if they want to run a statewide campaign.
If Kennedy wins and resigns by Dec. 14, a special election for treasurer could be called for March 25 — a quick turnaround for any statewide candidate. If Kennedy resigns after Dec. 14, then the special election will likely be pushed back to the fall of 2017, probably in October.
While state Rep. John Schroder of Covington has said he will run if the vacancy occurs, others who are expressing interest in the race or thinking about it include Sens. Norby Chabert of Houma, Neil Riser of Columbia and Mike Walsworth of West Monroe and Reps. Paul Hollis Covington and Julie Stokes of Metairie. All are Republicans.
Again, should Kennedy win, Ron Henson, currently the first assistant state treasurer, is expected to be appointed as the interim treasurer until a special election can be decided.