A Baton Rouge Senate race will not be a three-way run-off after a recount puts Representative Franklin Foil four votes ahead of Representative Steve Carter for second place. GOP mega-donor Lane Grigsby reportedly floated the idea that Foil should drop out of the Senate race and Grigsby would help Foil get elected as a judge. It’s left a cloud over the proceedings
“Louisiana law says you are not allowed to either coerce, threaten a candidate, or give them something of value to do something for you,” says former GOP U.S Senate candidate Rob Maness, who says the events have shaken his confidence in the state party’s integrity.
Maness says he doubts there will be any repercussions for Grigbsy’s reported actions. He says moneyed interests like the Baton Rouge businessman have too much influence.
“Everybody knows that Grigsby owns the place and they don’t want to cross him,” says Maness. “You ask any of the Legislators who are Republicans in the Statehouse, they will tell you.”
The longtime GOP activist says Grigsby’s substantial influence with gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone and other state leaders has convinced him to register as an independent.
“It’s an institutional issue, and I am not going to be part of a political party that purchases the governor’s seat for a businessman, or anyone else,” says Maness.