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.
Last night at the LSU School of Communications, there was a debate between several of the candidates.
In the following video, Andy addresses the issue of climate change legislation, and Louisiana's place in the future energy infrastructure of the US.
Transcript:
I think that we're going to have climate change legislation passed in the next Congress.
I think it's long overdue...
Both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama both committed to bringing legislation that would do that and so is Senator McCain. So we're going to have leadership from the President to do it.
But there is no state in the country that has more at stake in this debate than Louisiana, with our coastal areas that are at risk for sea level rise, but also our oil and gas industry that supplies a lot of jobs and fuel for the nation.
We need to have a Congressman who will go up there and focus on how to make sure that this climate change legislation that passes will have the flexibility so that Louisiana's economy can stay strong and so that we can capture those great opportunities for new technological investments.
Let's make sure that the research dollars come to LSU, come to Southern University, come to this part of the state to make sure that we can be pioneers in the new energy industry, just as we've led the way in the fossil fuel energy system.
We've got 20-30 years where we're still going to be burning fossil fuels. Let's make sure we preserve and strengthen that economic engine while being very conscious about transitioning to the new economy.
It's time we do that. We must be very, very aggressive in Washington to make sure that we get our fair share and our priorities identified in this legislation.
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 $70 thousand on ActBlue.com to his next closest rival's $30 thousand, attracting far more donors as well. In fact, Andy Kopplin is the #1 ActBlue fundraiser in Louisiana.
Andy also has his rivals solidly beat in another important metric going into the last days of the campaign -- as of today, he has more cash on hand. None of the other Democrats come close. Lastly, Kopplin's pace is picking up: he's raised over $45 thousand over the last week or so, again beating his closest rival. 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