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McAllister has change of heart, announces re-election bid

by Patrick Flanagan

Republican U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister has changed his mind and says he intends to run for re-election despite the scandal caused by a video showing him kissing a married female aide.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Republican U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister has changed his mind and says he intends to run for re-election despite the scandal caused by a video showing him kissing a married female aide.

In April, the freshman congressman said he wouldn't seek another term. But on Monday, McAllister said he intends to be on the Nov. 4 ballot as a candidate for Louisiana's 5th District.

McAllister made the announcement on "The Moon Griffon Show," a conservative talk radio show based in north Louisiana.

The married congressman, who ran on a platform of faith and family, apologized for a "personal failure" after the security tape showed him kissing an aide in his congressional office. She later resigned.

GOP leaders have pushed for McAllister to resign, but he has refused.