Familiar face also joins race

It’s official. Maj. Gen. Hunt Downer is pitting himself against several other candidates in the race for Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District, a seat left open by Rep. Charlie Melancon, who this time around is choosing to challenge incumbent Sen. David Vitter.

Downer, a recent retiree from the U.S. Army, Louisiana National Guard, filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission Thursday. A formal announcement from the republican candidate is expected to come in June.

For now, the pack remains slim. Downer joins Ravi Sangisetty, a Houma native who announced his bid to run months earlier, as one of two hometown candidates. New Iberia attorney Jeff Landry is also in the running and seems to be gaining support from republicans in his area. While Kristian Magar, another candidate from New Iberia, continues to fight for the top spot.

Downer, serving several stints in the legislature as Speaker Pro Tempore under Gov. Buddy Roemer and Speaker of the House under Gov. Mike Foster, said he chose to run because the challenges facing south Louisiana were too great for him to stand on the sidelines.

“As a father and grandfather, I’m alarmed at Washington’s out-of-control spending, the push for higher taxes, and our ever increasing national debt,” he explained in a news release. “These are problems we must tackle today – we cannot pass down this burden to the next generation. If there is one thing I’ve demonstrated, it’s that I’m willing to step on toes to get things done. I’ll continue to do the same in Washington.”

Over the years, Downer has partnered with a handful of small oil-field service companies. His served in the military for more than 35 years and received over 40 awards.

Currently he is of counsel with the local law firm Waitz and Downer and resides in Houma alongside his wife of 40 years and their two children.

Maj. Gen. HUNT DOWNER – Growing debt tops his political agenda