LA: Gov Jindal Vetoes Bill that Would Allow Independents to Call themselves Independents

The GOP's opposition to freedom of speech is in full view in Louisiana.  From Ballot Access News:

On July 1, Louisiana Goveror Bobby Jindal vetoed HB 533, an omnibus election law bill, entirely because one small part of the bill lets independent candidates have “independent” as their ballot label. See this story, which contains the Governor’s veto letters (scroll down to find HB 533).

The veto message displays surprising ignorance. Governor Jindal says there is another already-existing section of the election law that bans any party from calling itself the Independent Party. This is true. However, the Governor doesn’t seem to understand that the U.S. Constitution requires all states to provide ballot access procedures for independent candidates, separately and distinct from members of political parties . . .

Some of us have ceased being surprised by the ignorance of Republicans and Democrats.  After all, if they weren't ignorant, would they still be Republicans and Democrats?

LA: Independent Candidate for US Senate Challenges Vitter to "Defend his Honor" in Mixed Martial Arts Match

Well this is creative. From the Daily Comet:

Independent Senate candidate Mike Spears, 46, called on Vitter to meet him next month in a mixed-martial-arts match in Lafayette's Cajundome.

“I'm calling him out from behind the safety of his campaign fund, from the sanctuary of the Republican Party and the sanctuary of the special interests that fund his campaign,” Spears said in a Tuesday news release. “Will (the) senator have the courage to step out into the open, to go three rounds ‘mano-a-mano' to defend his honor?”

LA: Christian Party Makes Ballot Access Push

From Ballot Access News:

For several months, a newly-organized Christian Party has been attempting to qualify for the Louisiana ballot.  It needs 1,000 registered members, and says it now has 300 registered members.  It is running Anthony Marquize for U.S. House, 2nd district.

LA: Republican Lawmaker Declares Independence from Party

From Ballot Access News:

Louisiana Representative Ernest D. Wooton recently changed his voter registration from “Republican” to “independent”, and he also filed to run for U.S. Senate as an independent candidate.  Wooton has been in the legislature since 1999, and he will continue to be in the legislature through 2011, assuming he doesn’t resign or die.  He represents Plaquemines Parish, in the extreme southeast corner of the state.  He was also Sheriff of Plaquemines Parish 1984-1992.

LA: Libertarians to Hold Historic Primary Election

From NOLA:

The Libertarian Party will hold its first-ever Louisiana primary next month, when Anthony "Tony G" Gentile faces Randall Todd Hayes in the race for the U.S. Senate. It also will be the last one unless lawmakers change their minds on how federal elections should be held in the state.