Before politicos can turn their collective attention away from the recent federal elections and toward next fall’s statewide races, a trio of legislative seats are up for grabs and have been added to a special February ballot.
Against this backdrop, there is a great deal of positioning and maneuvering already underway for the regular legislative elections that will be held in October. It’s an early indication that the 2015 cycle will be busy and jam-packed with candidates.
The latest special election called in the Louisiana Legislature will also open up seats on two of its most important committee. Rep. Simone Champagne, R-Erath, has announced that she will resign from the lower chamber on Dec. 31. In January Champagne will become the new chief administrative officer for the city of Youngsville.
Her move creates high-profile vacancies on the House Appropriations Committee, which is charged with crafting the state budget, and the House Education Committee, which will oversee Common Core hearings next year.
A special election for House District 49 has already been set for Feb. 21, with a runoff if needed on March 28. Qualifying begins Jan. 7.
Already there are three possible candidates looking to run, including Blake Miguez, who appeared on the History Channel’s “Top Shot” and is working with the Political Firm. Miguez has already raised nearly $60,000 with a goal to raise $100,000 by the end of 2014. The political action committee of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is already behind him.
Other candidates said to be gearing up are Iberia Parish Councilman Roger Duncan and John Bering, who has run before and is already campaigning.
Two other legislative races are set for Feb. 21 as well:
In House District 8, Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Benton, is stepping down to become a judge. And in House District 66, Rep. Hunter Greene, R-Baton Rouge, was elected as a judge this fall, too.