Andy Kopplin is running for the Dem nomination for Congress from Louisiana's 6th CD (Baton Rouge). You know the district: Republican Richard Baker abandoned it to become a million dollar lobbyist.
Anyway, Andy is a friend of mine and when he asked my wife and I to volunteer for his campaign, we jumped at the chance.
But even if I didn't already know him, I would have been impressed by the things he's accomplished for Louisiana.
Kopplin was the first Executive Director of the Louisiana Recovery Administration. He built the coalition that doubled Louisiana's federal commitments for levees, housing and infrastructure (from $13.2 billion to $28.1 billion).
He was also head of Louisiana's Americorps Program. He led the way as groups of committed young people built houses, tutored children and helped the elderly.
And Kopplin, who served as the chief of staff to two Louisiana governors, was instrumental in the creation of the Louisiana community college system, the Louisiana Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), and Louisiana's pre-school program.
Here's one of Andy's TV ads:
The primary is this Saturday, March 8. There are four other Dems running:
- State Rep. Don Cazayoux, a self-styled "John Breaux Democrat" who is pro-life and enjoys high ratings from the National Rifle Association. Cazayoux is widely seen as the frontrunner for the nomination.
- Jason DeCuir, who ran unsuccessfully for the State Senate in the last election.
- State Rep. Michael Jackson who (like Cazayoux) will be soon be term-limited out of the Louisiana legislature.
- Joe DeLatte, a construction worker.
Despite this being his first race for public office, Andy has already vaulted into the top-tier for fundraising among all Democrats: He has raised over $68 thousand on ActBlue.com to Cazayoux's $30 thousand, attracting far more donors as well. Andy also has Cazayoux beat in another important metric going into the last days of the campaign -- as of today, he has more cash on hand than Cazayoux. None of the other Democrats come close. Lastly, Kopplin's pace is picking up: he's raised over $35 thousand over the last week or so, to Cazayoux's $25 thousand. Not bad, considering that this is his very first race for elective office.
If necessary, there will be a runoff in April and the special election will be in May.
I know very few of you reading this will be voting in the primary on Saturday. But I hope that you'll help us send Andy to Congress by making a contribution via ActBlue.com.
And if you live in the district, please vote for Andy on March 8.
Andy Kopplin for Congress
Andy Kopplin TV
Andy Kopplin's ActBlue page