United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2016

United States Senate election in Louisiana, 2016

November 8, 2016

Incumbent U.S. Senator David Vitter Republican

The 2016 United States Senate election in Louisiana will take place on November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Louisiana, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Under Louisiana's jungle primary system, all candidates will appear on the same ballot, regardless of party and voters may vote for any candidate, regardless of their party affiliation. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote during the primary election, a runoff election will be held on December 3 between the top two candidates in the primary. Louisiana is the only state that has a jungle primary system (California and Washington have a similar "top two primary" system).

Incumbent Republican Senator David Vitter unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Louisiana in the 2015 election, losing to Democrat John Bel Edwards.^[1] In his concession speech, Vitter announced that he would not seek re-election.^[2]

Candidates

Republican Party

Declared

• Charles Boustany, U.S. Representative^[3][4]
• Joseph Cao, former U.S. Representative and candidate for Louisiana Attorney General in 2011^[5][6]
• John Fleming, U.S. Representative^[7]
• John Neely Kennedy, State Treasurer, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008 and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2004^[8]
• Rob Maness, retired United States Air Force Colonel and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014^[9]

Formed an Exploratory Committee

• Eric Skrmetta, Public Service Commissioner^[10][11][12]

Potential

• Zach Dasher, pharmaceutical representative, cousin of the Robertson family and candidate for LA-05 in 2014^[13][11]
• Paul Hollis, State Representative and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014^[14][12]
• Vance McAllister, former U.S. Representative and candidate for state Senate in 2015^[15]
• Abhay Patel, businessman^[12]
• John Young, former President of Jefferson Parish and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2015^[16]

Declined

• Scott Angelle, Public Service Commissioner, former Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana and candidate for governor in 2015 (running for LA-03)^[17][18][19]
• Jay Dardenne, former Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana and candidate for governor in 2015^[20][21]
• Brett Geymann, former State Representative (running for LA-03)^[11][22]
• Bobby Jindal, former Governor of Louisiana^[23]
• Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, former State Representative and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2002^[24][25]
• David Vitter, incumbent Senator and candidate for governor in 2015^[2]

Democratic Party

Declared

• Foster Campbell, Public Service Commissioner, candidate for Governor in 2007, and candidate for LA-04 in 1980, 1988 and 1990^[26]
• Derrick Edwards, attorney^[12]
• Caroline Fayard, attorney and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2010^[27]
• Josh Pellerin, businessman^[28][29][30]

Potential

• Jim Bernhard, founder and former CEO of The Shaw Group and former chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party^[31][32]
• John Georges, businessman, candidate for Governor in 2007 and candidate for New Orleans Mayor in 2010^[32]
• Kip Holden, Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2015^[33][34]
• Eric LaFleur, State Senator^[35][18][36]
• Jacques Roy, Mayor of Alexandria^{[31][35][37][38]}
• Gary Smith, Jr., State Senator^[39][11][12]

Declined

• Don Cazayoux, former U.S. Representative and former United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana^[39][40]
• Robert Johnson, State Representative and candidate for LA-05 in 2013^[37][38]
• Mary Landrieu, former U.S. Senator^[41]
• Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of New Orleans and former Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana^[42][43]
• Charlie Melancon, former U.S. Representative and nominee in 2010^[44][45]

Independents

Declared

• Troy Hebert, former Commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and former State Senator^[46]

Jungle primary

Endorsements

John Fleming

Individuals Gary Bauer, founder and Chairman of Campaign for Working Families, former President of the Family Research Council and candidate for President in 2000[47] William G. Boykin, retired Army Lieutenant General and Executive Vice President of the Family Research Council[48] Jim Jordan, U.S. Representative (OH-04) and Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus[49] Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America[50] Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, former State Representative and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2002[25] Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate in 2012 & 2016[51] Organizations Campaign for Working Families[47] Citizens United[52] Concerned Women for America[50] Family Research Council[25]

Rob Maness

Individuals James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council[53] Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana[54] Paul Vallely, retired US Army Major General and senior military analyst for Fox News[55] Ben Carson, Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon and former 2016 presidential candidate[56] Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska (also nominee for Vice President in 2008)[57] Organizations Tea Party of Louisiana[58]

Foster Campbell
Individuals John Bel Edwards, Governor of Louisiana[59]

Polling

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[60]	Safe R	March 25, 2016
Daily Kos[61]	Safe R	April 4, 2016
Roll Call[62]	Safe R	April 4, 2016
Sabato's Crystal Ball[63]	Likely R	March 21, 2016

References

1. "John Bel Edwards beats David Vitter to become Louisiana's next governor". NOLA. November 21, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
2. O'Donoghue, Julia (November 21, 2015). "David Vitter won't run for his U.S. Senate seat again". NOLA.com. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
3. Barfield Berry, Deborah (November 23, 2015). "Rep. Charles Boustany will run for Senate". Shreveport Times. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
4. Burgess, Richard (December 14, 2015). "Boustany, saying he ‘refuses to peddle the politics of fear, obstruction, division,’ announces run for David Vitter's U.S. Senate seat". The Advocate. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
5. Rainey, Richard (December 16, 2015). "Joseph Cao enters Senate race for Vitter's seat, tells supporters by email". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
6. Rainey, Richard (March 1, 2016). "Joseph Cao officially enters race for David Vitter's Senate seat". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
7. O'Donoghue, Julia (December 7, 2015). "Louisiana Congressman John Fleming launches bid for David Vitter's Senate seat". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
8. Rainey, Richard (January 26, 2016). "Treasurer John Kennedy enters Senate race to succeed David Vitter". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
9. Rainey, Richard (January 25, 2016). "Congress takes some snow days; Maness makes it official: Louisiana politics". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
10. "The Senate Field Increases, As Eric Skrmetta Now Dips A Toe Into The Water". Louisiana Hayride. December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
11. Alford, Jeremy (December 22, 2015). "More possibilities surface for Louisiana’s US Senate race". Greater Baton Rouge Business Report. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
12. Alford, Jeremy (March 23, 2016). "New names still hover over Senate race". The Independent. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
13. Alford, Jeremy (November 25, 2015). "Attention turns to 2016 ballot; Boustany lands sub-chair in D.C.". Greater Baton Rouge Business Report. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
14. Alford, Jeremy (December 7, 2015). "Names floating in, out of developing U.S. Senate race". The Houma Courier. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
15. Alford, Jeremy (February 2, 2015). "Vance McAllister for U.S. Senate?". LaPolitics. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
16. Tidmore, Christopher (December 7, 2015). "Young, Cazayoux and Hebert consider Vitter’s U.S. Senate seat". The Louisiana Weekly. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
17. Hilburn, Greg (November 3, 2015). "Angelle could be eyeing Senate seat". The News-Star. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
18. Ballard, Mark (December 14, 2015). "Scott Angelle looks at U.S. Senate race, will anounce [sic] his decision after holidays". The Advocate. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
19. Stickney, Ken (March 3, 2016). "Angelle jumps into 3rd District race". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
20. Yokley, Eli (November 22, 2015). "After Vitter’s Loss, Louisiana Republicans Eye His Senate Seat". Roll Call. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
21. O'Donoghue, Julia (November 25, 2015). "Jay Dardenne says he may join John Bel Edwards' administration in podcast interview". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
22. Hilburn, Greg (March 1, 2016). "Republican Brett Geymann will run for 3rd District seat". The News-Star. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
23. "Bobby Jindal unequivocally has no interest in running for U.S. Senate."
24. Jaffe, Alexandra (January 22, 2014). "Christian leader open to Senate run". The Hill. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
25. Roarty, Alex; Yoakley, Eli (February 26, 2016). "Tony Perkins to Endorse John Fleming in Louisiana Senate Race". Roll Call. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
26. Crisp, Elizabeth (February 26, 2016). "Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell running for the U.S. Senate". The Advocate. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
27. Crisp, Elizabeth (February 4, 2016). "Democrat Caroline Fayard launches U.S. Senate bid". The Advocate. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
28. Stickney, Ken (January 25, 2016). "Pellerin to explore Senate campaign". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
29. Stickney, Ken (February 24, 2016). "Seeking Senate seat: Pellerin will run". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
30. Stickney, Ken (March 28, 2016). "Pellerin announcement comes April 5". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
31. Cheney, Kyle (December 29, 2014). "16 in '16: The new battle for the Senate". Politico. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
32. Wyman, Hastings (February 8, 2016). "Louisiana gearing up for Senate race". Southern Political Report. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
33. Alford, Jeremy (December 30, 2015). "Holden among many Louisiana politicians being urged to run for congressional seat". Greater Baton Rouge Business Report. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
34. Sharkey, Richard (January 6, 2016). "UPDATE: Mayor Jacques Roy may run for U.S. Senate seat". The Town Talk. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
35. Ballard, Mark (December 19, 2015). "Political Horizons: Despite campaign fatigue, a crowded, close Senate race looms". The Advocate. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
36. Drusch, Andrea (December 20, 2015). "No Time to Waste in Louisiana". National Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
37. Hilburn, Greg (January 6, 2016). "Alexandria mayor, state Rep. Johnson consider Senate run". The News-Star. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
38. Sharkey, Richard (April 18, 2016). "Rep. Johnson won't run for U.S. Senate seat". The Town Talk. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
39. Drusch, Andrea (December 4, 2015). "Mitch Landrieu Rules Out Senate Bid". National Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
40. Rainey, Richard (10 December 2015). "Louisiana Senate race: who's in, who's out in the early going". 2015 NOLA Media Group. The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
41. Alpert, Bruce (April 13, 2015). "John Kennedy's decision to opt out of race for governor or attorney general makes him potential Senate candidate". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
42. Bruggeman, Karyn (November 14, 2015). "Landrieu Won't Rule Out Challenging Vitter in 2016". National Journal. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
43. Rainey, Richard (December 3, 2015). "New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says no to run for Vitter's Senate seat". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
44. May, Gerry (May 7, 2015). "Fleming may need "crucial" boost from Vitter to replace him in U.S. Senate". KTBS-TV. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
45. O'Donoghue, Julia (December 16, 2015). "John Bel Edwards picks ex-congressman Charlie Melancon, others for his cabinet". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
46. Dickerson, Seth (January 28, 2016). "Former ATC commissioner announces run for senate". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
47. "Working Families PAC Endorsement". Fleming for Louisiana. February 17, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
48. "U.S. Army Veteran Lt. Gen. (Ret.) William G. Boykin Endorsement". Fleming for Louisiana. February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
49. "Congressman Jim Jordan Endorsement". Fleming for Louisiana. February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
50. "CWPAC Endorses Dr. John Fleming for U.S. Senate in Louisiana". Fleming for Louisiana. February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
51. "Rick Santorum Endorsement". Fleming for Louisiana. March 14, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
52. McKay, Scott (December 8, 2015). "Citizens United Endorses Fleming Immediately After He Announces His Senate Run". The Hayride. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
53. Barfield Berry, Deborah (March 3, 2016). "Rob Maness, John Fleming get key endorsements". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
54. Crisp, Elizabeth (February 3, 2016). "Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser endorses Rob Maness for U.S. Senate". The Advocate. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
55. "General Paul Vallely Endorses Col. Rob Maness for US Senate in Louisiana". December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
56. "Rob Maness Wins Another Big Endorsement". March 31, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
57. "Sarah Palin Endorses Louisiana’s Col. Rob Maness for United States Senate". March 31, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
58. Crisp, Elizabeth (February 8, 2016). "Tea Party of Louisiana endorses Rob Maness in Senate race". The Advocate. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
59. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/apr/02/edwards-tells-democrats-hes-supporting-campbell/
60. "2016 Senate Race Ratings for March 25, 2016". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
61. "Election Outlook: 2016 Race Ratings". Daily Kos. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
62. "2016 Race Ratings". Roll Call. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
63. "2016 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved April 4, 2016.

External Links

• Charles Boustany for Senate (R)
• Foster Campbell for Senate (D)
• Joseph Cao for Senate (R)
• Derrick Edwards for Senate (D)
• Caroline Fayard for Senate (D)
• John Fleming for Senate (R)
• John Kennedy for Senate (R)
• Rob Maness for Senate (R)
• Josh Pellerin for Senate (D)