September Surprise

We’ve barely dipped our toes into the month of September, and already the attacks against us have begun — with political enemies determined to stop our momentum to the Governor’s Office. But here’s what we know: the people of Louisiana are tired of politics as usual. They are tired of voting for change and economic prosperity, only to end up with more of the same (except worse). They are tired of hoping for something different, only to end up with less. And they are tired of theatrical productions and emotional ploys that distract from the actual issues affecting them at home. 

Unfortunately, the insiders in Baton Rouge are not done playing games. In fact, they intend to stir chaos all the way to the finish line — just to hold on to their crumbling grasp of power for a little while longer, no matter what it might cost our State. In fact, they are lowering themselves to the carnival that is the worst of Louisiana politics. When we say “enough is enough,” that’s exactly what we mean. 

Now, as most of you know, we announced our run for Governor in October of last year — we didn’t sit around to see who else would enter the race. We are serious about the changes we can make in our State. That’s why we highlighted our platform from the very beginning, declaring that we intend to remedy disastrous criminal justice reforms and to protect our communities; that we will rebuild our failing education system and give power back to parents; and that we will support Louisiana’s economy so that we can actually compete with the other Southern states who are booming while we fall far behind. 

It appears some government power players don’t want those things to change. That’s why they have dug up a flight from two years ago when I was a featured speaker at an attorneys general conference. Instead of charging the taxpayers for travel, I flew on the plane of a retired private citizen who has no business with the State or the Louisiana Department of Justice. This trip will likely be pushed to the forefront of the Governor’s race as the “September Surprise” brought to the public by a heavily left-leaning “Ethics” Board that seems intent on keeping me from doing my job.

But make no mistake: that is why we are running for Governor. We are doing this because there is a job to be done, and no one else is qualified to do it. Some might think we’re too Cajun, too animated, too aggressive; but we have a proven record of getting things done in the most efficient way possible. Of course, the taxpayers of our State could have financed this trip to that conference; instead a retired friend picked up the bill. But bureaucracy doesn’t like efficiency. No, it thrives on pieces of paper, gossip, and gross exaggeration — which is why Louisiana is in the failing position she’s in today. 

We don’t need more of the same. We need a team builder, a problem solver, and someone who proudly believes that Louisiana is worth fighting for. I have served our Nation, our State, and our community for my entire adult life — and these games are not going to stop us from making Louisiana the Jewel of the South, whether the good ole boys like it or not.