House Speaker Pro Tem Joel Robideaux confirmed Tuesday that he is ending his campaign for speaker of the House.
House Speaker Pro Tem Joel Robideaux confirmed Tuesday that he is ending his campaign for speaker of the House.
The Lafayette Republican said after several meetings with Rep. Chuck Kleckley of Lake Charles, whom Gov. Jindal is supporting, and candid conversations with his supporters about how best to serve the state, he decided to end his campaign for speaker and support Kleckley in his bid.
Citing education, pension reform, health care, roads and transportation, workforce, and coastal restoration, Robideaux said in a prepared statement that important issues facing the state factored into his decision. Robideaux noted his close working relationship with Gov. Jindal over the last four years and said he looks forward to helping him push through additional key legislative reforms critical to the state's future.
Robideaux, who changed his party affiliation from independent to Republican in September in hopes of winning the governor's support for his speaker bid, could not be reached for further comment. Read more on his switch here and The Independent's April cover story on Robideaux's bid for speaker here.