Congressman Clay Higgins (R) represents Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District
Clay Higgins is the first Republican from Louisiana’s House delegation to give an endorsement in the governor’s race. Higgins is backing fellow Congressman Ralph Abraham. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the endorsement comes after Republican candidate Eddie Rispone attacked Abraham in a campaign ad…
“Higgins felt the time was really straightforward to come out and specifically support the candidate who wasn’t directly friendly fire towards other Republicans,” said Cross.
The Republican Party has previously request there be no interparty attack ads as they feel attacks in the previous race cost the party the Governor’s Mansion. Cross says Rispone’s ad went directly against that.
“When Rispone did that, I think it may have crossed the line for many people and this may just be the beginning of the end against Mr. Rispone,” said Cross.
The endorsement could be the first of several from within the party toward Abraham as a result of Rispone’s ad. While Cross considers the ad a blunder for the third place polling candidate, he doesn’t expect Rispone to drop out as a result.
“I think Eddie Rispone has spent enough money now that he’s firmly committed, I don’t think he’s going to back out. The question is, does he have any kind of a chance or is it just bad money after good,” said Cross.
