Friends of Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle say the Breaux Bridge Republican is continuing to consider a potential run for governor, with an eye to lieutenant governor as a possible back-up plan.
Friends of Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle say the Breaux Bridge Republican is continuing to consider a potential run for governor, with an eye to lieutenant governor as a possible back-up plan. He currently represents both Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes on the PSC.
"He wants to be able to make a good showing. He said if he ends up running at 4 percent, he'll wonder why he didn't wait," says a source. "Right now Scott is focused on visiting people and selling himself for the job. He wants to make sure checks can be written and he'll have the resources he needs to get up on television and stay on the airwaves."
With the Acadiana region once again shaping up as a likely swing vote in the race for governor, some supporters are telling Angelle that the numbers could shake out in such a way to land him a runoff spot. But speculation is cheap this early in the game, with voters not going to the polls until October 2015.
If Angelle, 52, does decide to run, he may be taken to task for campaign promises to finish out his term on the PSC. But boosters contend that could be overcome by Angelle's public speaking skills and quick wit - characteristics that usually come to define Louisiana's most iconic Cajun politicians.
In that vein, Angelle could be hoping to build off of the regional models built by politicians like Kathleen Blanco, John Breaux, Edwin Edwards and others who managed to perform well statewide, in addition to their bases in Acadiana.
Angelle wouldn't directly comment on his decision-making process, but said he is being urged by supporters to show up on the 2015 ballot.
"The most encouraging thing is the that the support is not limited to the Cajun Nation, but is statewide," Angelle tells LaPolitics. "I think there is still enough time for a passionate candidate that is Louisiana through and through."
In his latest campaign finance report covering calendar year 2013, Angelle shows $155,000 raised and $175,000 on hand. While that's an OK showing for the PSC, it pales in comparison to what will be needed in the multi-million dollar race for governor.
Elected in 2012 to the PSC, Angelle still managed to spend $22,650 on consultants in 2013, an off-year, including payments to Arsement Media, the Bautsch Group and Roy Fletcher.