With U.S. Sen.-elect John Kennedy preparing a move to Washington, the list of names of who might replace him as treasurer in Louisiana seems to be growing with each passing day.
Kennedy took 69 percent of the vote over Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell on the state’s pre-Christmas runoff ballot, which means a special election for treasurer will have to be called soon.
Former state House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, a Republican from Lake Charles, told LaPolitics that he might be a candidate for the post.
“It’s something I would consider,” says Kleckley, who now works for the law firm of Adams & Reese.
Also looking at the race is Acadiana health care executive Gus Rantz, who placed fifth in the primary for the 3rd Congressional District last month.
Meanwhile, state Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, has been building his campaign for a few months and says he intends to be a candidate in the special election.
Also from the House, Rep. Julie Stokes, R-Metairie, recently held a fundraiser in New Orleans to test the waters and could make her final decision soon.
Sens. Norby Chabert, R-Houma, and Neil Riser, R-Columbia, and Rep. Paul Hollis, R-Mandeville, are said to be seriously looking at the race as well.
Ron Henson, currently the first assistant state treasurer, is expected to be appointed as the interim treasurer until a special election can be decided.
According to the Associated Press, Kennedy is not planning to resign by Dec. 14, which would have allowed for a special election for treasurer to be called for March 25. That means a fall 2017 special election will be called.