Last-minute push on in 3rd District

With only a few days left to lock in a seat for the Republican primary, 3rd Congressional District candidates have a priority of making a positive, lasting impression on voters.

But in trying to create a good image, the competition has gotten ugly for some, as Jeff Landry of New Iberia and Hunt Downer of Houma have been waging campaign war against each other in recent days.

And with the two frontrunners hurling attacks, political analysts say New Iberia’s Kristian Magar stands to gain votes, forcing an Oct. 2 runoff for the GOP nomination.

The winner will face Democrat Ravi Sangisetty in the Nov. 2 election.

The seat is left open by Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

At public events, such as Thursday’s forum at Nicholls State University, the candidates held to their individual platforms, hammering their anti-Democrat messages.

But in their latest stream of TV and radio ads, it’s been a no-holds-barred brawl. At issue: Landry’s former lawsuit and Downer’s party affiliation.

Downer, a retired U.S. Army major general and former Louisiana House speaker, served several terms as a Democrat before switching parties. Landry’s recent ads paint Downer as “a liberal hiding in conservative clothing.”

Before an audience of about 150 voters, Downer adopted the “conservative” title, applying it to his voting record.

For his part, Landry is battling Downer’s ads focusing on a civil lawsuit against one of his businesses.

The issue went virtually unmentioned Thursday, as Landry picked away at Downer’s past votes while in the state House.

Business manager Magar, a student of conservative constitutional theory, continued to call for cutbacks on spending and applying conservative values to governing.

The Houma and Thibodaux chambers of commerce sponsored the Nicholls forum. Questions were posed to the candidates, and rebuttals were not allowed, nor were the candidates allowed to question each other.

The recent barrage of attacks, however, has not been as civilized.

“I’m not confused about what party I belong to or what values I believe in,” Landry said in a campaign video on his website, pushing the issue of Downer being a former Democrat.

In an effort to contest Landry’s attack on Downer’s stance on abortion, Downer released a statement Monday.

“On many occasions, Mr. Landry has tried to label me as a pro-abortion candidate who has supported pro-abortion issues and campaigns. This is completely opposite to reality,” Downer said in the release, noting his daughter is adopted. “I am pro-life … always have been and always will be.”

Downer’s campaign manager Buddy Boe also had something to say on the issue.

“If Mr. Landry will lie about life, he’ll lie about anything to get elected. It shouldn’t surprise anyone though because Jeff used this same baseless attack in his last unsuccessful campaign which was called the ‘dirtiest in history’ in his hometown newspaper,” he said.

The dirt doesn’t end there, however. A press release on Landry’s website addresses the 6-year-old lawsuit filed by Jones Brothers Company in 2004.

“The only time Jeff faced tough business negotiations involving the courts was years ago,” Landry’s website stated. “In a case that Jeff ultimately won after previous decisions were reversed and the company that attacked Jeff admitted fault and paid Jeff’s company – not the other way around as liberal Hunt Downer would have you believe.”

With the primary two days away, Landry and Downer were back on message.

“Jobs, jobs and the economy, to me, are the number one issue in this campaign,” Landry said in a telephone interview. “I believe that, unfortunately, the actions of the administration and Congress over the past 18 months have been an anti-business and anti-jobs-created climate.”

Landry said his recent ads are not attacks, rather “public record.” “Those are his votes,” the candidate said. “He should defend them. If he doesn’t want to stand by them, he can explain his actions.”

Landry characterized the spate of attacks as “distasteful and untrue.”

“I hope at the end of the day, the voters look at the candidates in this race, look at the background of the candidates in this race and see who has stood for conservative values,” he said. “I have never co-chaired any pro-choice, high-energy candidate. Neither have I worked for any liberal Democratic governor. I have a responsibility to educate the voters.”

Between appearances Monday, Downer reiterated his pledge to “fight for our country, our coast and our children.”

“I want to protect our American way of life, in particular in south Louisiana. I want to make sure we are restoring the American dream for future Americans.”

His final hours leading to Saturday’s primary will be spent trying to reach voters. “My lifetime of service has been dedicated to making Louisiana and our nation a better place to live, to raise our families and to enjoy our way of life.”

Downer said his focus has been on his campaign platform, not last-minute mudslinging.

“It just saddens me that a candidate would have to resort to mudslinging and dirty politics instead of focusing on the message,” he said. “That’s the message we need to take to Washington.”

Focusing his attention on his platform, Downer said protecting the Constitution, ending the moratorium, cutting taxes and balancing the budget are major concerns.

“I bring the leadership to stand up for what’s right,” he said. “I’ve proven that with a lifetime of service. Thirty-five years ago, I took an oath of office to proudly serve my state and my country. I have done that and I want to continue doing that.

“The next step is focusing on getting out the vote,” Downer said.

Magar, who holds the endorsement from the Tea Party, said he doesn’t think about the back-and-forth between Downer and Landry.

“People ask me all the time, ‘Who are you running against?’ Well, I’m not running against anybody,” Magar said. “I’m not running against Jeff Landry. I’m not running against Hunt Downer. I was in this race before those guys were in this race. I got in this race because I believe our country is headed in the wrong direction.”

Magar said his plan, titled “Plan to Free U.S.!” which is outlined on his website and his campaign independence are what differentiate him from the other candidates.

Magar put a $1,000 cap on individual cash donations.

“I wanted people to understand that they can trust that if I’m elected, that I’m not going to be beholden to a few individuals over anyone else’s interests. I’ll be able to represent everyone’s interest the same and I’m not tied to be the establishment. So far, I’m free to speak my mind and to tell the truth.”

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. Voters will also elect U.S. Senate candidates.