Josh Goodman is a former staff writer for GOVERNING..
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Only in Louisiana
Louisiana has a unique way of making government more bipartisan. Consider the major candidates for governor this fall:
-Foster Campbell, a Democrat
-Walter Boasso, who started out as a Democrat, was elected to the state senate as a Republican in 2003, then became a Democrat again this year
-John Georges, who was a Republican, then publicly mulled becoming a Democrat a few weeks ago, before deciding to run as an independent
-Bobby Jindal, a lifelong Republican so far as I can tell, although he did switch parties from Hindu to Catholic
The elephant (or donkey?) in the room prior to the September 6 filing deadline was New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, a Democrat, who wouldn't say whether he was running. He decided to pass on the race. Many media outlets have reported over the years that Nagin was once a Republican, although he denies it. But he did endorse Jindal over Democrat Kathleen Blanco in 2003.
After the governor's contest is out of the way, the next big election in Louisiana will be the 2008 U.S. Senate race. Incumbent Mary Landrieu, a Democrat, is like to face state treasurer John Kennedy, a Republican who was a Democrat until three weeks ago.
Twitter: @governing
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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