A new state legislature will choose their leaders for the next four years on Monday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Lafayette Senator Page Cortez is expected to be picked as Senate President, but it’s a battle for House Speaker, between Albany Representative Sherman Mack and Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder.
“Most people say Clay doesn’t have enough Republicans to win, there’s a possibility that he could win, but it would have to be with a majority of the Democrats,” said Pinsonat.
Mack represents the conservative wing of the near supermajority of Republicans in the House. Pinsonat says Mack has the backing of US Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry.
“Their guy is Sherman Mack, who right now doesn’t have enough votes to win because there is a spilt in the Republicans,” said Pinsonat.
Kennedy and Landry co-signed an open letter telling Republicans to back whichever candidate receives the most Republican support, to keep Democrats from having any influence on the Speaker selection.
Pinsonat says the selection of House Speaker has huge ramifications. If Mack wins, the governor will not have an ally leading both the House and Senate, but…
“If Clay Schexnayder wins, most feel that he could only do that by getting lots of members of the Black Caucus, which would open the door for Governor Edwards to have a lot of input,” says Pinsonat.
The Louisiana Legislature convenes at 10 AM on Monday
