Read on Twitter
If you live in Louisiana's 5th congressional district (Alexandria, Monroe, Ruston, Opelousas, St. Francisville and some parts of the Florida parishes), you can pick your new congressman tomorrow. I might be able to help you too. I interviewed both candidates for my podcast.
Both of the candidates who made it into the runoff election -- again that's happening tomorrow -- are Republicans. They are trying to replace retiring @RepAbraham. They are conservative and agree on many issues, but in my opinion, they aren't similar candidates.
When I talked to the two candidates - @RepLanceHarris and @LukeLetlow -- they talked about very different issues. I think they agree on big picture stuff, but I am not sure they would be very similar congressmen frankly.
. @RepLanceHarris is a state representative and the former head of the Louisiana House Republican Caucus. He's fought with @LouisianaGov in recent years, especially during the state's recent fiscal crisis. He didn't like the governor's various tax/budget proposals.
. @RepLanceHarris didn't always side with @BobbyJindal on fiscal issues either. (He thought Jindal should take a more conservative approach.) So it's not surprising that Harris told one of his top priorities as a congressman would be the national debt. https://lailluminator.com/podcast/illuminator-podcast-state-rep-lance-harris-is-running-for-congress/
. @RepLanceHarris also said he's concerned about protecting capitalism and fighting against socialism. In general, he hit on some talking points you hear from many Republicans on the national stage. https://lailluminator.com/podcast/illuminator-podcast-state-rep-lance-harris-is-running-for-congress/
. @RepLanceHarris also passed the first "Blue Lives Matter" law in the country as a state rep in 2016. It added law enforcement officers to La.'s hate crimes statute. Civil liberties organization objected to the law, though it faced very little opposition in the Legislature.
In any case, you can listen to my full podcast episode with @RepLanceHarris by clicking on the link below or through any of the major podcasting apps. Just search for "Louisiana Illuminator podcast"... https://lailluminator.com/podcast/illuminator-podcast-state-rep-lance-harris-is-running-for-congress/
Now, on to the other candidate in the race, @LukeLetlow...who served as chief of staff to @RepAbraham until he left that job to run for Congress. Letlow also worked for @BobbyJindal when he was in Congress and during Jindal's first term as governor.
When I asked @LukeLetlow what he would focus on as a congressman, he immediately mentioned broadband access. Much of the 5th congressional district doesn't have broadband access. In fact, Letlow can't get broadband at his own house in Start, Louisiana. https://lailluminator.com/podcast/illuminator-podcast-an-interview-with-republican-congressional-candidate-luke-letlow/
. @LukeLetlow also said he would want a spot on the Ag Committee if elected to Congress. ( @RepAbraham is currently on Ag.) He would also be interested in looking at expanding U.S. trade with Cuba -- which he thinks would benefit Louisiana farmers. https://lailluminator.com/podcast/illuminator-podcast-an-interview-with-republican-congressional-candidate-luke-letlow/
Like @BillCassidy, @LukeLetlow is also in favor of the federal government providing direct relief to local governments to replace tax revenue lost because of #COVID19.
FWIW: @RepLanceHarris told me he would not necessarily support this type of #COVID19 relief.
FWIW: @RepLanceHarris told me he would not necessarily support this type of #COVID19 relief.
To listen to my podcast interview with @LukeLetlow, you can click on the link below or you can find it on any major podcasting platform. https://lailluminator.com/podcast/illuminator-podcast-an-interview-with-republican-congressional-candidate-luke-letlow/
When it came to the two candidates, I felt like @LukeLetlow focused a lot more on issues that were particular to the 5th congressional district, like broadband and trade with Cuba.
@RepLanceHarris was focused on some bigger picture issues, like the national debt.
@RepLanceHarris was focused on some bigger picture issues, like the national debt.
In my opinion, @LukeLetlow seems like he would be a similar congressman to @RepAbraham. @RepLanceHarris might want to get involved in the broader politics of Congress a bit more. In the Louisiana Legislature, he has been a high-profile member for many years.
Finally, only one of these congressional candidates mentioned reaching out to Dems. @LukeLetlow said he would work with the Black community in the district.
Over a third of the district is Black. It has one of the largest populations of Black voters in a GOP seat in the US.
Over a third of the district is Black. It has one of the largest populations of Black voters in a GOP seat in the US.
So again....Here are our two interviews with the candidates for Louisiana's 5th congressional district runoff election, which takes place TOMORROW.
@RepLanceHarris
interview: https://lailluminator.com/podcast/illuminator-podcast-state-rep-lance-harris-is-running-for-congress/
@LukeLetlow interview: https://lailluminator.com/podcast/illuminator-podcast-an-interview-with-republican-congressional-candidate-luke-letlow/
@RepLanceHarris
interview: https://lailluminator.com/podcast/illuminator-podcast-state-rep-lance-harris-is-running-for-congress/
@LukeLetlow interview: https://lailluminator.com/podcast/illuminator-podcast-an-interview-with-republican-congressional-candidate-luke-letlow/
