Louisiana: Boustany Will Not Run for Senate
Louisiana Republican Rep. Charles Boustany Jr. will not take on three-term Democratic Sen. Mary L. Landrieu in 2014.
Boustany’s name had been floated in recent weeks as a potential GOP challenger, but a spokesman for the congressman told CQ Roll Call Monday that he has opted to stay in the House.
“While Congressman Boustany is honored to have been encouraged to run for the U.S. Senate in 2014, he remains dedicated to the 3rd Congressional District of South Louisiana,” spokesman Neal Patel said in a statement. “Serving on the House Ways and Means Committee allows Congressman Boustany to focus on issues important to Louisiana ranging from trade, to comprehensive tax reform, to health care. He looks forward to continue representing South Louisiana on Capitol Hill.”
Landrieu, a Democrat in an increasingly Republican state, is seen as vulnerable. CQ Roll Call rates this race as a Tossup.
But no congressman has yet pulled the trigger on a challenge, although Pelican State GOP Reps. John Fleming and Bill Cassidy, as well as former Rep. Jeff Landry, are considering running against her.
Louisiana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne is also mulling a bid, as first reported by CQ Roll Call last week.
A close ally of Speaker John A. Boehner, Boustany won a strong victory last year in a member-vs.-member race against Landry.