New Iberia attorney Jeff Landry appears poised to announce his candidacy for the 3rd District congressional seat, according to syndicated political columnist John Maginnis. Landry did not return a phone call this morning for comment. Maginnis reports that Landry is already raising money and quotes Republican state party chairman Roger Villere saying Landry is "definitely getting in the race." The primary election is set for August 2010, with qualifying in July.
Landry, who ran former state Sen. Craig Romero's unsuccessful bid for Congress in the 3rd District in 2006, previously ran for Romero's old state Senate seat in 2007. He lost in the runoff to Troy Hebert. The only other announced candidates thus far in the 3rd District are Republican state Rep. Nickie Monica and Houma attorney Ravi Sangisetty, a Democrat. Incumbent Charlie Melancon is vacating the post and running for U.S. Senate against David Vitter.