In the District 1 Public Service Commission race, Republicans would seem to have a surer thing with the qualification of Republican state Rep. Mark Wright into the contest. But they also have to be careful about a Louisiana Supreme Court contest around the same area.
Wright dove into the opportunity of succeeding GOP Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta yesterday, joining fellow Republican state Rep. Stephanie Hilferty. Her announcement raised some eyebrows among conservative voters and especially climate realists because of her record as perhaps the least conservative member of her party in the chamber, according to her average score over the past six years on the Louisiana Legislature Log scorecard, particularly in the last three years, although her recent votes on issues that intersect with the PSC’s authority showed affinity with a climate realism agenda.
Wright’s consistent conservativism according to the scorecard raises no such doubts. Over the past six years, he averaged almost 88 on the scorecard (higher scores denote greater conservative/reform impulses), in line with the GOP chamber average and, unlike Hilferty who scored at just above 50 in the past two sessions, Wright averaged 100 over that span.
On recent legislative issues dealing with things about which the PSC regulates, as with Hilferty, Wright has voted in a manner congruent with a climate realist outlook. Like Hilferty, Wright doesn’t have much stashed away in campaign funds, but could have raised more in 2025 not yet reported. All in all, as a full-spectrum conservative Wright likely should inspire more confidence in Republican voters to continue stellar job of Skrmetta. (A repeat GOP candidate from 2020, John Mason who fared respectfully then, also has qualified, but with a pittance of funding seems likely to get swamped by Hilferty and Wright in the primary.)
But this isn’t the only contest in southeastern Louisiana where conservatives will have to choose carefully. With Will Crain having a spot on the federal bench, the District 1 Supreme Court spot is up for grabs, with a pair of Republicans qualifying. William “Billy” Burris of the 22nd District will match up against Blair Downing Edwards of the First Circuit. She announced earlier and has reported raising more money than him, but both had far under the amount spent by Crain in his attempt.
Edwards started her elective legal career, after working in public defense, in the 21st District and always has run as a Republican. But she is part of the Edwards family machine in Tangipahoa Parish, having run for mayor of Amite after marrying Democrat former Sheriff Daniel Edwards, making her the sister-in-law of Democrat former Gov. John Bel Edwards.
By contrast, for a conservative voter Burris – who also has family connections as his father held his post before him – checks all the right boxes. He’s a member of the Federalist Society whose members shy away from activism as part of their judicial philosophy, meaning they see an original intent to which to adhere in the Constitution, as well as has won backing from several interest groups who desire tort reform.
Edwards claims herself to be a “strong conservative,” but she doesn’t walk the walk in her associations and who allies with her. Republican voters in that district need to evaluate who seems most genuinely committed to their beliefs in this contest as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment