"It's more about which candidate can best represent the interests of a diverse constituency that holds a variety of political views. And we believe Boustany is that candidate."
Citing many of the same reasons as the American Press daily newspaper in Lake Charles last week, the Daily Advertiser on Sunday endorsed U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, over a field of candidates - rival GOP New Iberia Congressman Jeff Landry most notable among them - in the Nov. 6 election to represent the new 3rd Congressional District.
Following the American Press' lead, TDA's editorial board, acknowledging that the paper rarely makes political endorsements, lauds Boustany's work on behalf of coastal restoration, the energy industry and veterans in making the endorsement. But the Advertiser gives special emphasis to the retired heart surgeon's (perceived) ability to be bipartisan, although we must confess evidence of that bipartisan streak has been rare during the course of the last four years:
Instead of framing this race in terms of who is the better conservative and whose position on taxes is more in keeping with their political philosophy, we believe it's more about which candidate can best represent the interests of a diverse constituency that holds a variety of political views.
And we believe Boustany is that candidate.
Landry, Boustany's chief opponent, has been passionate and vocal in representing his congressional district during his first term in office. We recognize Landry's strengths as a conservative member of his party, as well as his impassioned oratory. However, Boustany's temperament seems more suited to the task of working with legislators with opposing views, a necessity in a governing body.
With the Advertiser's backing, Boustany has now picked up endorsements from the two major daily newspapers in the district.
The Boustany camp, meanwhile, issued a press release Monday morning promising "a major campaign endorsement" will be announced on Tuesday.
Read the full TDA endorsement here.