"If you are a supporter of mine and voted for me in this past election, please don't send me another person that is simply 'against.' "
In an email to supporters on Friday, City-Parish President Joey Durel is backing District 6 candidate Jared Doise in the Nov. 19 runoff against Tea Party candidate Andy Naquin, who led a three-man field in the Oct. 22 primary that ousted incumbent Sam Doré. And a source tells The Independent that early next week Doré will also throw his support behind Doise, a bar owner and self-described "progressive Republican."
"If you are a supporter of mine and voted for me in this past election, please don't send me another person that is simply against,'" Durel writes in a not-so-shrouded reference to Tea Party council incumbents Jared Bellard (District 5) and William Theriot (District 9), both of whom won their re-election bids a couple of weeks ago and who have positioned themselves as the most fiscally conservative members of the CPC. "[S]end someone that will work with the other councilmen and I to help continue the momentum Lafayette has going for it right now. Send us someone that truly understands what the private sector of our community needs to succeed."
Endorsed by the Tea Party of Lafayette and running on what rings as a national Tea Party platform - lower taxes, fewer regulations, smaller government - Naquin won the Oct. 22 primary with 43 percent of the vote. Doise made the runoff with 32 percent while Doré trailed with 25 percent.
Durel cites in Friday's email concerns that Naquin, based in part on his stated positions during the campaign, is anti LUS Fiber and will fail to support other initiatives generally embraced by Durel and much of the council over the last four years. Naquin's opposition to the LUS rate increase last year appears to be of particular concern to Durel: "This is a very dangerous approach to running a business that is so important to our community. Very close minded and very dangerous!"
The full letter is reproduced below:
Andy Naquin Joey Durel Jared Doise
I have known one of the candidates in this race just about my entire life, and I had hoped to visit with him to discuss his positions and offer information. Unfortunately, after we made the call to set up a meeting, he cancelled and has not called back to reschedule as promised.
That is why it is a difficult thing that I do now. My friend has been campaigning against so many things that we have done and worked hard to accomplish, primarily against LUS!
LUS Fiber: He is against our Fiber Optic Initiative that 62% of the people voted for us to do. How can someone running for office campaign against the will of the people? Does this mean he wants fiber to fail? Given the fact that he is "philosophically" against this project, do you want him on the Board of Directors of LUS, working to hurt this "goose that laid the golden egg" for Lafayette?
LUS Rate Increase: He is saying he is against the rate increase LUS needed for operations, after going about 12 years without one. Who wants a rate increase? No one does. But, do you want someone saying he is against something before he has even taken the time to look into the business facts? This is a very dangerous approach to running a business that is so important to our community. Very close minded and very dangerous!
Don't forget, LUS is the most reliable utility company in the state! Think about that when it is 19 degrees outside, and your elderly relatives are home alone. You want to see rate increases? Have someone elected that would run LUS down! Eventually, there would be consequences. He is campaigning against The Horse Farm and planning for the future. He says he wants more infrastructure and more fire and police, but he wants to cut taxes. That might sound good to some, but is obviously said simply for that reason, because it sounds good. Don't be swayed by unrealistic promises that cannot be kept.
Jared Doise, on the other hand, is a small business man, with an MBA, who knows what it takes to meet a payroll. He knows what it takes to turn a profit, such as keeping expenses down, including taxes and utility rates, but he also knows that being without electricity for hours or days will cost him a lot of money. And, as a businessman, he knows he cannot make good decisions without getting as much factual information as possible. Jared knows that a growing community is good for business. And Lafayette is growing!
Just recently, we have been recognized for two very important indicators of how we are doing. We are the sixth fastest growing economy in America, and we have the sixth fastest growing middle class in America! More cities in America have seen a decline in their middle class than cities that have seen an increase in their middle class. Please don't elect someone that would jeopardize these kinds of accomplishments that this community is achieving.
I have visited with Jared Doise several times and like his balanced approach in his decision making. While he and I will not agree on every issue, I am comfortable with the fact that he will ask the right questions of not only himself, but of me. As a small businessman, he will work with us on finding solutions to difficult issues and will understand that the future needs us to consider how we invest our tax dollars today.
So, why is this race so important? Because we cannot afford to have another councilman that will vote against our utility company, just because of politics. Because we need a businessman that will take a business approach in solving problems; someone that will study the information before making a decision on critical issues.
If you are a supporter of mine and voted for me in this past election, please don't send me another person that is simply "against," send someone that will work with the other councilmen and I to help continue the momentum Lafayette has going for it right now. Send us someone that truly understands what the private sector of our community needs to succeed.
I am asking you (no matter where you live in Lafayette) to do all you can to support Jared Doise for Council District 6 . He needs moral support and he needs money. He can accept up to $1000, but he will surely appreciate any amount you can send. Please get involved in helping elect Jared Doise...do it now!