Ivey, Wilson Seeking GOP Endorsement

Republican Party To Make Choice At Meeting Tonight

BATON ROUGE — Two Republican candidates are seeking the endorsement of the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish tonight at 6 p.m. at the Metro Council Chamber.

Central businessman Barry Ivey, a nuclear power contractor, and Metro Councilman Scott Wilson are on the ballot in the March 2 special election to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Rep. Clif Richardson.

But, so far, neither candidate has won a major endorsement.  Both the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry and the Tea Party of Louisiana decided not to make an endorsement in the race.  Securing official support from the GOP could be a boost to either side.

The East Baton Rouge Republican Parish Executive Committee could make the endorsement at tonight’s meeting.  The 17 members of the committee are elected by the Republican voters of the parish, with 12 elected from Metro Council districts and five elected at large parishwide.  There is currently one vacancy on the committee.

Republican Party vice chairman Connie Bernard will preside over the endorsement meeting.  Each of the two candidates will speak for five minutes and then answer questions from committee members.  The GOP submitted an extensive questionnaire to the candidates, and both candidates answered the questionnaire (see Page 2).

Under party rules, the endorsement vote will be by secret ballot.  It takes a majority of the members of the committee who are present in person or by proxy in order to receive an endorsement.  Under the rules, it is possible for both candidates to be endorsed.

Wilson was elected to the Metro Council in 2008 and compiled a conservative voting record.  He was reelected without opposition last fall.  He has often opposed Mayor-President Kip Holden on the Council.  Wilson is the president of a trucking company, while Ivey is the president of a contracting firm that serves the nuclear power industry.

Ivey has been conducting a well-funded campaign, emphasizing direct mail and house-to-house canvassing and calling.  Likely voters have received at least eight mailings.

On Wednesday, Ivey spokesman Rhett Davis said their polling shows Ivey leading Wilson by a narrow margin among likely voters.  Wilson responded by saying he feels confident voters approve his record and will support him in the election.

The Republican committee will also vote to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Harold Williams, who is accepting employment which prohibits him from holding a position with a political party.