Sen. Vitter announces bid for Louisiana governor
Updated 5:41 p.m. ET, 1/21/2014
(CNN) - Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana announced Tuesday that he's running for governor of his state in 2015.
"I believe that as our next governor, I can have a bigger impact addressing the unique challenges and opportunities we face in Louisiana," the two-term Republican lawmaker said in a video release by his campaign.
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Two-term governor and potential 2016 White House hopeful Bobby Jindal is term-limited.
Vitter said his decision won't affect his Senate work.
"I've held 342 in person town halls, 128 telephone town halls, and countless other meetings in every parish of our state. I'll continue those travels, listening directly to Louisiana families, about what most concerns them. And then after listening and learning, I will lead," he said.
He also said "this will be my last political job, elected or appointed, period."
Jindal said at an event Thursday that he has enjoyed working with Vitter on education reform and appreciates the senator's "steadfast opposition" to Obamacare, but the current governor is not prepared to throw his support behind any candidate anytime soon.
"It's far too early for me to be making an endorsement or to be thinking about making an endorsement for him, or for any other candidate," Jindal said.
Vitter said late last year, in an e-mail to supporters, that he was considering a gubernatorial bid.
He now joins another Republican, Lt. Gov. Jay Darndenne, in the race for the GOP nomination. Another Republican, Louisiana state Treasurer John Kennedy, is considering a bid.
Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards has also launched a campaign. And New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, another Democrat, is also mulling a candidacy.
Following Vitter's announcement, the Louisiana Democratic Party blasted the senator for "shutdown-style politics that Republicans have perfected in D.C."
"We welcome the senator to the race and wish him well as he attempts to persuade Louisiana voters to give him a promotion - despite his record of ineptitude and obstruction," Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson said in a statement.
Vitter has rebounded politically from scandal around past allegations he solicited prostitutes. He was linked to the so-called "D.C. Madam" scandal in 2007, but easily won reelection in 2010.
Vitter served in the U.S. House from 1999 to 2005, before winning election to the Senate.
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Oh my.
not another scandal, isnt there anyone in the GOP not tainted?
I wonder if he'll be seeking endorsements and major donations from Huggies and Luvs, et al. Will we witness the birth of The Diaper Lobby? He's a pimp's john look what he can do...he can wear big john pants too...
Right wing hypocrisy at its' most entertaining value.
How was Vitters' showing up in the "DC Madam" scandal's lists any different than Eliot Spitzer's name showing up in the "Emperor's Club" lists? IOKIYAR I'll accept any and all other alternate explanations, but so far I'm not aware of any.
Bobby Jindal doesn't have a snowballs chance in hell of even getting the nomination.
So crime does pay, in the State of LA
I do so hope he'll run. Louisiana just hasn't been the corrupt political circus it once was, and Vitter could really help it get back to the status quo, like William Jefferson did! In fact, he reminds me very much of the French president, and Louisiana was once French, you know.
"I've held 342 in person town halls, 128 telephone town halls, and countless other meetings in every parish of our state. I'll continue those travels, listening directly to Louisiana prostitutes, about what most concerns them. And then after listening and learning, I will lead," he said.
He will make a great solicitor
he shouldn't have any trouble with that – take at look at Bobby Jindal.....La is getting about the same type of guy for their state
He's a pimp's john, look what he can do...He can wear big john's pants too....
Looks like Vitter now wants to put the pole to the citizens of Louisiana.
The Cloth Diaper Lobby is p-ssed.
Thank you, thank you...we'll be working the double entendre angle all day long...
great move! this will free up his senate seat for jindal!! its a win-win. and it'll drive the lefties in bonkers, an added benefit.
Malory Archer
Oh my.
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Oh dear ... you beat me to it !
So once again the republicans show what hypocrites they are. He's linked to hookers and that's fine, it doesn't make him ineligible to lead but Weiner shows a few Weiner shots and he's the devils spawn???
Somewhere, The Kingfish is smiling.
Terrible prostitute scandal. How can he do this? Unacceptable!
Oh wait – he is a GOP MAN. Well boys will be boys......nod nod heh heh wink wink.
More comedy from the family values folks.
Ooooohhhh.... is some state getting jealous? They just couldn't stand to see Joisey and Illinois contending for the top dog prize of most corrupt, so they are running one of their true champs.
As for the person asking about the comparison between Spitzer's name on the madam's list and this loser's name on another madam's list, I think it is extremely obvious what the difference is.... If you are a Dem who shows such predisposition to get invovled in such actions, you do not get re -elected (see Spitzer, Wiener). However, if you are 'family values' republicant with scuh predispostions, then no problemo.... we got a governship or Senate seat waiting right here for you...
These GOP idiots do not have any other candidates without scandals? Ohh, my God–not even a single GOP thug without scandal. He will lose like a hell.
This is a JOKE, right?
why aren't all you high and mighty lefties calling for the corrupt charlie rangel to step down? take care of your democrat swamp before throwing rocks at others.
......and his town hall meetings were done by phone, after he screen the callers.
just asking
why aren't all you high and mighty lefties calling for the corrupt charlie rangel to step down? take care of your democrat swamp before throwing rocks at others.
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Why should he? Stanford didn't step down. Vitter didn't step down. Ensign didn't step down. But, Weiner, Spitzer, and that mayor out in San Diego all stepped down. Name one Republican who has stepped down because of scandal....besides Nixon and Agnew, who are both ancient history.
@just asking
why aren't all you high and mighty lefties calling for the corrupt charlie rangel to step down? take care of your democrat swamp before throwing rocks at others.
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Because the Radical Right is always touting their "family values" and religious righteousness. We all see it is holiness of convenience only.
" Name one Republican who has stepped down because of scandal"
To be fair, didn't Larry Craig resign? That being said, it perhaps provides a wonderful juxtaposition. IOKIYAR apparently incorporates the idea that it's perfectly ok when it is something the base considers good old fashioned manly behavior...something out of a 1950's guide to misogyny etc...but "wide stance" in the airport men's room while looking for some mouth love doesn't exactly fit that bill.