John Cooksey, Sheriff Fewell Endorse Jindal

Monroe, LA, News-Star ^ | 11-08-03 | Evans, Robbie

[Theodore R.]

A former Monroe congressman and the Ouachita Parish sheriff threw their support Friday behind Republic gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal.

Dr. John Cooksey, a former U.S. representative, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff Richard Fewell met with Jindal and a group of supporters at the foot of the Louisville Bridge in West Monroe to announce their endorsements of Jindal. Both Fewell and Cooksey said they believed Jindal could better deal with the state's financial woes than his Democratic opponent Kathleen Blanco, who is the state's lieutenant governor.

[Kuksool]

I wish Cooksey would run for the LA-05 again.

[Theodore R.]

I haven't heard if anyone will challenge Rep. Rodney Alexander, D-LA, next year. I guess a Republican might have an outside chance if only one runs.

[M Kehoe]

When was the last time Louisiana had a Republican governor?

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[Theodore R.]

LA Republican governors: Treen (1980-84)
Roemer (convert in last year of his term) 1991-92; Foster (1996-2004)

[M Kehoe]

Thanks. It took till 1980 to get rid of the Kingfish's ghost. Not surprising, Huey had an iron grip on LA.

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[Theodore R.]

Actually, Sen. Russell Long,D-LA, who succeeded Harry F. Byrd, Sr., as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee in 1965, was probably more influential in the long run than was his father Huey. Russell Long served in the Senate from 1948 until 1987, when he was succeeded by the popular "King" Breaux. Russell Long died this past spring.

[Theodore R.]

Some even believe that Edwin Washington Edwards personally voted for Treen in the 1979 general election so that when he staged a comeback in 1983 he would be running against a Republican, instead of a fellow Democrat. The unlucky Democrat that year was then Public Service Commissioner Louis Lambert. Now Democrat nominee Blanco has in her long resume previous service on the PSC. At least two former PSC members went on to be governor, Huey Pierce Long, Jr., and John J. McKeithen.