The Lafayette Independent Weekly has a long profile on state Senator Don Cravins, Jr., who says that he’s “99.9% sure” that he’ll run against incumbent Rep. Charles Boustany in Louisiana’s 7th CD this fall. Cravins, who was one of three African-American state legislators considering runs for Congress as independents this year, will run as a Democrat, albeit a rather conservative one:
If Cravins decides to run and rolls out his campaign commercials for the 7th Congressional District, voters will learn they’re not dealing with the usual African-American Democrat. Cravins is a blue-collar philosopher, a former altar boy who’s conservative on social issues. As for guns, he can sit around talking arms and ammo all day – he is, after all, the commander of the reserve unit in Opelousas, recently promoted to the rank of captain. “Some people play golf,” he says. “I strap on a vest and a gun for fun. That’s what I do. It takes my mind off of things and puts me in the community. I’ve already worked 19 hours this month and can’t wait to get back out.”
[…] He’s the only game in town in the 7th District, as far as Democrats. Former state Rep. Gil Pinac of Crowley has decided against running, as has Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach. Kyra Jennings, the Southern regional press secretary for the DCCC, confirms that the national party is courting Cravins and willing to pump resources into his bid. “We have reached out to him, and we think he would be a strong candidate,” she says. “Voters want someone who is connected to their communities, and I think Congressman Boustany has shown time and time again that he is out of step with the district.”
The entire article is worth reading in order to find out what we’d get with a Cravins candidacy in this R+7.4 district.
I understand some of the AA legislators felt that the DCCC always sided with the white candidate and this is part of the reason they have threatened to run as independents. If the DCCC strongly supports Cravens, perhaps this will have some effect on the other two AA state legislators threatening to run as independents? In particular, I’m concerned with Michael Jackson running and costing Cazayoux the election.
We’ll still get clobbered but I suppose Cravins is better than we otherwise would have running here.
I think the “Breaux Advice” part is interesting. He says “Be Pro-Hunter’s Right’s” and Cravins’ says, “I’m just pro-gun!”
Well, my thinking is Pro Hunter’s rights crosses over into Republicans but still holds the liberal base on the issue. Pro-Gun, you lose the base on the issue, and split the issue with your opponent. Who knows how this tweaks the outcome of the vote.
“will run as a Democrat, albeit a rather conservative one:”
Better than another Republican.
I was surprised to see Senator Breaux use it. I met him a couple of months ago, and could barely understand the man, thanks to his Cajun accent, and his seeming inability to enunciate his words. Next time I meet him, I’m going to tell him I have a hearing loss, can he speak clearly!
Cravins can actually win this seat. It was a Democratic seat for a long time. And Boustany is out of step with the district …