2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. In just 37 seconds, Democrat Gary Chambers lit up Louisiana's race for the U.S. Senate. Luke Mixon, a Democrat who is a political nobody, is running against John Kennedy for the Senate next year. He completed his Naval service as the commanding officer of the Navys F/A-18 squadron in New Orleans. Luke Mixon, is a military veteran who flew fighter planes. SHREVEPORT, La. The Louisianan confirmed in an interview that he's considering running for governor in his state, which has elected conservative Democrat John Bel Edwards to two consecutive terms the first. But sooner or later, its bound to happen. Let's make 'em squeal.". However, a summary page of House Republicans policy agenda called The Commitment to America says that plan would Save and strengthen Social Security and Medicare but does not mention cuts. the bipartisan infrastructure bill among other votes. U.S. Sen. John N. Kennedy, R-Madisonville, qualified to run for another si-year term on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Kennedy ischallenging Biden in the2024 Democratic primary. Ive traveled the state, Ive spoken to tens of thousands of people, exactly zero people have told any of that is stupid., Chambers said, Hes voted against the policies that would actually help us create jobs, help us fix infrastructure, help us be able to deal with inflation.. One Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate is a White moderate who grew up on a farm in central Louisiana, graduated from the United States Naval Academy and served as a fighter pilot. As they begin their campaigns to unseat the formidable Republican incumbent, John N. Kennedy, Mixon and Chambers neatly capture the two major strains of the Louisiana Democratic Party. Incumbent Republican Sen. John Kennedy is running against candidates from both parties in Louisiana's open primary system. In the coming months, each candidate will have the opportunity to show which message is most persuasive in a state where Democratic successes have sharply declined over the past 20 years, and where a climate of extreme political polarization poses a major obstacle. You have permission to edit this article. President Joe Biden announcedhis reelection campaign, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. becomes latest Democrat challenging Biden in 2024 for White House, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Kennedy, first elected in 2016, served on the Senate Committees on Appropriations, Banking, Budget, Judiciary, and Small Business through the campaign. But Mixon, a commercial airline pilot who is married with two children, will try to duplicate the formulaGov. And Chambers is a long shot, to say the least. Chambers is coming off a strong third-place showing in last years special election to replace Cedric Richmond in a congressional district that stretches from New Orleans to Baton Rouge and was drawn to elect a Black candidate. In the initial flurry of activity, candidates for all sorts of offices signed up, including Chief Justice John Weimer, who is running for reelection to the Louisiana Supreme Court. In the ad. Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call/Bloomberg via Getty Images Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. As you can see, he knows how to make a dollar work. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. It's still too early to tell how this video will work for Chambers' political career. Leading The Progressive Fight Online Since 2000, Blue America - Building A Progressive Future -. Theres good television but thats not good governance, Hoggatt said. Sen. John Kennedy ran against Democrats Luke Mixon and Gary Chambers in a crowded slate of challengers to represent Louisiana in the US Senate. "We chose to use me smoking to talk about these glaring statistics and the need to do something about those statistics," he said. Senator John Boozman, R-Ark., in the GOP primary. The other candidates reported little or no fundraising activity through the campaign. He now works as a commercial airline pilot. FILE - Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., speaks during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the fiscal year 2023 budget for the FBI in Washington, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Gary Chambers Jr. picked up his first significant endorsement in an uphill U.S. Senate campaign when outgoing state Rep. Ted James announced h, Luke Mixon, a first-time candidate running for the U.S. Senate, raised nearly $200,000 in his initial campaign reporting period, putting the D. "I had three goals as a young man. The RSC Budgets reforms would modernize and strengthen health care coverage for Americas seniors by making Medicare more efficient. MONROE, La. Democrat Gary Chambers is seen lighting and inhaling a blunt in his debut TV ad, clocking . We could not be happier to see a decorated veteran step up and answer the call to serve his country once again by fighting back against failed Sen. John Kennedy, she said in a statement. We can make a change in Louisiana because there are more of us who are willing to help our neighbors and lift our communities, Gary Chambers Jr. said in a Facebook post this week just after announcing his candidacy. The Democratic Party endorsed candidates talked about their priorities, if elected. Louisiana's 2022 U.S. Senate race is taking shape as Democrat Gary Chambers Jr., a Baton Rouge community activist who made a splash in last year's 2nd Congressional District election before falling short, will challenge Republican Sen. John Kennedy. Mixon made the announcement Tuesday, criticizing Kennedy for what he calls voting against. Which may not be surprising for a man who came of age in the 1950s, when cannabis was still considered an evil weed consumed only by criminals and jazz musicians. The press of candidates filing of paperwork and paying of fees didn't let up throughout the day. Kennedy has been in office since 2017, and at this time, he's campaigning against 12 other candidates in hopes of maintaining his position as U.S. Because hes not representing our state, hes representing himself. On Tuesday, Chambers released a now-viral campaign video. The percentage of registered Democrats in Louisiana has plummeted from 59% in 2002 to 40% today. Louisiana has voted Republican in every presidential race since 1980 except for two elections: 1992 and 1996, when the state when for Democrat Bill Clinton. The ad highlights non-violent drug convictions. 2023 www.theadvertiser.com. Our campaign is pretty simple, our campaign is about standing up for Louisiana families, that means ensuring everyone has a safe community to live in by reducing crime, it means that we reduce the cost of gas and groceries but healthcare as well by preserving the Affordable Care Act and then ensuring that we have high-quality jobs in Louisiana, said Mixon. Click Here to report it. Leading The Progressive Fight Online Since 2000downwithtyranny@gmail.com. Louisiana Treasurer and Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Kennedy speaks at a rally on Dec. 9, 2016 in Baton Rouge. John Neely Kennedy has launched his re-election campaign as U.S. hide caption. Since the civil rights era, numerous Black candidates have run statewide, but none has won. That was during Reconstruction, when federal troops protected Black voting rights. (KTAL/KMSS) - Democrat Luke Mixon is looking to unseat U.S. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Its hard not to conclude that this was one of those issues where Biden took a position he was comfortable with-- and one to the right of other candidates urging legalization, including his future vice president-- but it wasnt something he cared about or would expend effort on. Gary Chambers, a challenger to GOP Sen. John Kennedy, smokes a blunt in the video. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. I would say overall that Louisiana is a safe Republican state for Kennedy, said Miles Coleman, a New Orleans native and LSU grad who is associate editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia. He captured the attention of the media, which had been entirely ignoring his campaign before that. Jake Bequette announced Monday that he will challenge U.S. Luke Mixon, a Baton Rouge pilot, announced Tuesday, October 5, 2021 that he will challenge the reelection of U.S. Sen. John N. Kennedy in the 2022 election. Kennedy won state's open senate seat Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. Rep. Julia Letlow will be seeking to win reelection for the 5th Congressional . (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate). U. S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-Madisonville, on Thursday grilled President Joseph Biden's nominee for Comptroller of the Currency for what Kenned. And, he will support the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes, leave decisions regarding legalization for recreational use up to the states, and reschedule cannabis as a schedule II drug so researchers can study its positive and negative impacts. His video was not done for shock appeal, Chambers said. Chambers said, No, I would not support a federal abortion ban, I believe that we need to make sure that we codify Roe.. Two Democrats -- Luke Mixon and Gary Chambers Jr. -- are challenging John Kennedy in U.S. Senate race. The other Democrat in the race is a Black progressive who grew up in Baton Rouge and has attracted a horde of online followers with a compelling message against White privilege and for all working people. Mixon grew up in Central Louisiana as a farmer's son, graduated from Bunkie High School and was selected to attend the U.S. Prior to his election to the Senate, Kennedy served as state treasurer for five terms, serving in theposition from 2000 to 2017. Crafting his media campaign will be Jared Arsement, who won notice devising John Bel Edwards ads. Sen. John Kennedy draws a challenger: Navy veteran Luke Mixon, 10-year-old shot during argument, Marion man arrested, Black mans decapitated remains found after he warned his mom he was targeted by truckloads of white guys, Senators working to improve tornado safety, KNOE Sunday Night Forecast with Jake Lambright, KNOE Sunday Evening Forecast with Jake Lambright, KNOE Saturday Night Forecast with Jake Lambright. in the upcoming midterm election. Its the resources question right now, said Stephen Handwerk, a Democratic strategist who served as executive director of the state party for nearly a decade until 2020. Lane Payne, a pastor from Abbeville, and Jake Shaheen, a math teacher from Lake Charles who wore a t-shirt saying Very Stable, signed up saying southwest Louisiana constituents are disappointed in government response to recovery from three hurricanes that hit them directly. No, Lux said on any possibility of cutting the programs. Heres what. He spent nearly 20 years flying the F-18 fighter, in support of American missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. "I look forward to engaging him in debates and town hall meetings, in a primary election that is honest, civil, and transparent," Kennedy said in a statement. Mixon is a Bunkie native who graduated from the Naval Academy in 2001 and was a fighter pilot for 17 years with four deployments from aircraft carriers to support missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria,earning three Air Medals. Copyright 2022 WVUE. Mixon is hammering away at Kennedys vote against Bidens giant infrastructure package that the Democratic Congress approved last year, with support from Cassidy and a few other Republican senators. Chambers argues that Democrats have to forge a new path, with a forceful message that will energize working-class people who havent seen a reason to vote. "If [Chambers] does start raising money and there is some space for him in this race, then we can say it was a success beyond an attention grabbing, viral moment," Belk said. Three Democrats will challenge Sen. John Kennedy on Nov. 8 ballot. Updated: Jan 15, 2022 / 12:23 PM CST. But Democratic challenger Luke Mixon says investing in the youth would be a better solution to crime than what Kennedy offers. Senator John Kennedy speaks during a press conference following a round table discussion with Vice President Mike Pence, Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at LSU's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Senator for Louisiana. Senator John Kennedy, a Republican, is re-elected to another term in office. Mixon, 42, a political novice, enters the race as a decided underdog against a the Republican incumbent with a $4.1 million war chest in what has been an increasingly red state. BATON ROUGE, La. "Im running for Louisiana Senate because its time for real change in Louisiana from a candidate who understands first-hand the challenges facing Louisianans every day, he said. Chambers joins formerU.S. Navy fighter pilot Luke Mixon, a Democrat and political novice, as among those mounting bids to upset Kennedy. Last night she told me she's "had the privilege of spending meaningful time with Gary Chambers, traveling across North Carolina and holding multiple town halls and backyard conversations together. This image (made from video made available by the Democratic National Committee via the LBJ Library) shows a mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion in a 1964 presidential campaign television commercial titled "Peace, Little Girl" and known as the "Daisy" ad made by the DNC for Lyndon B. Johnson in his race against former Sen. Barry Goldwater. Twitter/Screenshot by NPR They have strengthened their hand substantially since then, falling just short of a two-thirds supermajority in both houses. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) Sen. John Kennedy ran against Democrats Luke Mixon and Gary Chambers in a crowded slate of challengers to represent Louisiana in the US Senate. John Bel Edwards signed into law a bill that reduces penalties for small amounts of the drug. Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers qualified as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. In one ad he says, I said I wouldnt back down, I havent, look I dont hate anyone but I also dont care what others think of me, except dogs, I like dogs.. Kennedy has been a Trump loyalist during both of the . A Gallup poll last decade found more Americans thought John F. Kennedy was a good president (74 percent) . The ad, put together by President Lyndon B. Johnson's campaign, attacks his opponent Barry Goldwater's position on nuclear weapons. The 30-second ad called "Squeal" starts with a close-up of Ernst talking about growing up castrating hogs on her family's farm. Sen. Kennedy seeks re-election; Democratic Party-endorsed candidates hope to force a runoff, Kennedy did not consent to an interview with FOX 8 on his re-election bid, Skull fragment found in Lake Pontchartrain identified as prehistoric indigenous remains, Boy, 5, shot Sunday night in Avondale home, Two men shot -- one fatally -- Sunday in Thibodaux, authorities say, Family identifies 18-year-old slain in Bay St. Louis mass shooting. Weve got to have a real solution to the opportunity gap that exists in Louisiana, weve got to figure out how do we find the resources to help build stronger education, weve got to make sure that we dont turn away resources from the federal level to help us create jobs, weve got to figure out what are future jobs for our state, we cant just rely on oil and gas., said Chambers. Of the 12 Democrats in the state Senate, only two Gary Smith, of Norco, and Jay Luneau, of Alexandria are White. The primary is scheduled for November 8, 2022. Kennedy, a. Bill Rouselle, a veteran ad man in New Orleans, is assisting Arsement. Jeff Liszt with the Anzalone survey firm, which served as Edwards pollster, is overseeing the polling operation with the help of Silas Lee in New Orleans. Mixon currently resides in Baton Rouge, LA where he works as a commercial airline pilot and is a union member in the Air Line Pilots Association. But then he became a Republican, Chambers added, switched accents and now talks like this., Viewers then saw a folksy-sounding Kennedy promising in a 2016 campaign ad, I will not let you down. Doug Jones, despite Kennedy not seeming to have run an actual campaign. John Kennedy (R-LA) tore into the Biden administration and liberal political establishment in typical colorful fashion at the Conservative Political Action . "We knew it would create conversation, but we had no idea that it would be to this degree," Chambers said. Published: Nov. 3, 2022 at 6:50 PM PDT NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Louisiana voters will decide whether U.S. hide caption. But Holden Hoggatt, a felony drug prosecutor in Lafayette, had no such reservations in blaming Higgins, who is known for incendiary and entertaining Facebook and social media video posts. John Bel Edwards used to become the only Democratic governor in the Deep South, highlighting his military service and young family. So hats off to Gary Chambers of Louisiana, who did something in a new campaign ad in his bid for U.S. Senate that I dont think any candidate has done before: Smoke marijuana. The candidates were asked if they would vote to cut Social Security or Medicare. Kennedy, a staunch Trump ally, was endorsed. I hope you do, even if it's just $5 or $10. U.S. Navy veteran Luke Mixon has announced his intention to take Kennedy's seat in the 2022 election. This week some other candidates told FOX 8 they too would not vote to cut the programs. Unless one candidate gets more than half the ballots, the top two vote-getters will be in a runoff Dec. 10. Publishing a shocking campaign video a move used since at least the 1960s can get a candidate some serious name recognition, while they talk about major issues, said Adolphus Belk, a professor of political science at Winthrop University in South Carolina. Defend Louisiana has started running an ad attacking Kennedy for supporting abortion rights when he was a Democrat. Louisianians elected the Zachary native in 2016 with 61% of the vote. "Some things are seriously wrong in America today and Im going to talk about them Inflation, in particular, is gutting the American people and the people in Louisiana like a fish. March 02, 2023 03:15 PM. We believe that Kennedy is vulnerable, said Chambers. Kennedy, who has proven to be popular in Louisiana and on Capitol Hill, raised an astounding $36 million in his reelection bid - 10 times as much as his Democratic challengers combined. All rights reserved. Senator John Kennedy, a Republican, is re-elected to another term in office. Public Service Commission Chair Lambert Boissiere III, D-New Orleans, qualified to run again to regulate utilities for the district that covers metro New Orleans, up the Mississippi River into north Baton Rouge. Incumbent Republican U.S. senator John Kennedy was first elected in 2016. That ratio has flipped. Gary Chambers during his run for the 2nd congressional district in New Orleans, La. Gary Chambers, a Louisiana Democrat vying to oust Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) "However, Ive also seen the consequences of irresponsible leadership. Nevertheless, Chambers ad is a significant marker in changing ideas about cannabis. Chambers is running to unseat Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) Kennedy is in the pole position after waltzing to reelection with nearly . [3] Candidates [ edit] There are still more registered Democrats than Republicans (31%) and independents (27%). Ive seen it abroad in our foreign policy and here in Louisiana, said Mixon. Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers announced Tuesday through social media that he will challenge incumbent John Kennedy for a seat representing Louisiana in the U.S. Senate. ", That 2022 Senate thermometer above it's a live link and if you click it, it'll take you to a page where you can contribute to Gary's campaign. Mixon recounted his military career in detail, questioned why Kennedy didn't work with Democrats in passing a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, as U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy did, and faulted Kennedy for voting against certifying the electoral college, thereby refusing to acknowledge Bidens victory as president. John Kennedy Is America's Folksiest Senator. And hes trying to unseat Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican incumbent running in a state Donald Trump won by almost 20 points in 2020. The 69-year-old Kennedy is . The stakes are too high for you to stay home.". Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican, helped craft the infrastructure deal. While hehasknown Biden for many years, the challenger said they havediffering stances on issues likecorporate influence in government, censorship, civil liberties, poverty, corruption and war policy. Carter, D-New Orleans, eventually beat Peterson, D-New Orleans, in the runoff to win the seat. As in other Southern states, the Democratic Party in Louisiana has declined because it has hemorrhaged White voters, said John Couvillon, a Baton Rouge-based pollster and demographer. MADISONVILLE, La. John Neely Kennedy has launched his re-election campaign as U.S. It functions similarly to their position on marriage equality: While most havent actually changed their beliefs, they know theyre on the wrong side of public opinion, so its something they prefer not to talk about. He used to talk like this, Chambers said as viewers then saw Kennedy, the state Treasurer, sounding like the corporate attorney he used to be. He is also the ranking member on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, and Banking Subcommittee on Economic Policy. Louisiana 's lone U.S. Senate race features Republican incumbent John Kennedy, who is seeking a second term. John Bel Edwards and has the type of centrist profile that until recently often catapulted Louisiana Democrats into statewide office. Disaster aid:Congress approves $28.6 billion in disaster aid for Louisiana, other states. So for me, I know that hes vulnerable, I know that we have a shot and we have a chance to take him out, we just need for everyone to show up on November 8th., Senator Kennedy is attacking me by name now and he knows hes vulnerable, said Mixon. as well as other partner offers and accept our. He is 42 and was raised on a farm in Bunkie in Avoyelles Parish. Mixon Announces Campaign (Full Announcement in Italics). "It has people talking about him," and for that, Chambers' team has been successful, Belk said. As president, he will decriminalize cannabis use and automatically expunge prior convictions. The broad measure of a political ad's success is seen in fundraising contributions, Belk said. Kennedy has an unmatched ability to reach out to Louisianans if he wants to and say this is who I am, and this is what Im running for.. Kennedy was born in Centreville, Mississippi, but raised in nearby Zachary, Louisiana, a small town about 15 . He gained national attention last month with the release of a campaign ad in which he puffs on a blunt . Republicans often do it by putting up ads in which they fire some guns, but after a dozen other candidates do that, it loses its edge. Kennedy is one of two Democratic challengers facing off against Biden in 2024. Democratic Gov. Shelby's former aide and campaign manager, Katie . "In his (Kennedy's) announcement video, he said, 'Ill never let you down, Id rather drink weed killer.' Mixon and Chambers also slammed Kennedy for not supporting the bipartisan $1T infrastructure package which is now law. During my time in the military, I was blessed to work with some of the bravest and most talented soldiers, sailors, airmenand Marines," Mixon said in a statement. See a spelling or grammar error in our story? But in the context of handicapping next year's U.S. Senate race in Louisiana, it . Were not there yet, as Gary Chambers has reminded us. Copyright 2022 Gray DC. FILE - Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., speaks during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the fiscal year 2023 budget for the FBI in Washington, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Kennedy is expected to win the most votes, but he needs to win 50 percent of the vote to avoid a run off election. Sure. Chambers is looking to unseat Republican Sen. John Kennedy, who was first elected in 2016.Another Democrat, Luke Mixon, has also declared he will run for the position. Louisiana braces for flood insurance sticker shock. This budget would ensure the survival of the Medicare program for current and future generations and would not institute any changes in the program until 2025.. He previously was the state treasurer (2000-17). He knew that, though it's 2022, people are still astounded by, of all things, pot smoking. When it comes to infrastructure, Louisiana is one of the most important states in the nation. Senator John Kennedy. ", Stay in the conversation on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter, Kennedy said during his campaign announcement that "corporate feudalism" in the country commodifies children,harmspeople with chemicals and prescriptiondrugs and weakensthe middle class. President to rally Americans to support the Ukraine war, LNL: 2024 Presidential hopeful Asa Hutchinson speaks to Local News Live exclusively Part 1, LNL: 2024 Presidential hopeful Asa Hutchinson speaks to Local News Live exclusively Part 2. Republican incumbent Sen. John Kennedy defeated Democrat Luke Mixon and several other challengers in Louisiana to represent the state in the US Senate.
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