Oil And Gas Backs Democrat's Bid To Keep Louisiana US Senate Seat

Reuters

WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Oil and gas interests are pouring money into a tight U.S. Senate race in Louisiana, giving twice as much to the Senate campaign of incumbent Democrat Mary Landrieu than her Republican challenger even though the industry backs the Republican push to regain control of the Senate.

Landrieu, chairwoman of the Senate Energy Committee, is struggling to fend off Republican Representative Bill Cassidy and Tea Party favorite Rob Maness on Nov. 4 in one of a handful of races that could determine which party holds a Senate majority.

As much as the industry wants to see Republicans wrest control of the Senate, it has a bigger fish to fry in the Louisiana race. Oil and gas interests want Landrieu to retain leadership of the energy panel and prevent another Democrat, Maria Cantwell, who backs an environmentalist agenda, from taking over the committee.

Landrieu is a key ally the industry will support even if it costs Republicans the Senate, industry leaders said.

"I'm a strong Republican and there is no one I would rather have in that Senate seat than Senator Landrieu, regardless of party affiliation," said James Noe, an executive at Hercules Offshore, a provider of contract drilling and liftboat services.

"You won't see a Republican that is as energetic and forceful and persuasive defending our industry," he added.

The race looks tough for Landrieu - polls show she has a narrow lead over Cassidy, with Maness a distant third. If neither candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, as many pollsters predict, it will trigger a two-way runoff in early December. In that scenario, polls show Cassidy winning by a comfortable margin.


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Jay Bruton  |  October 21, 2014
This whole article REEKS of what has DESTROYED America. The "stupidity" of these supposed oil industry executives should be plastered over their business doors. The nation does NOT deserve another Democratic Senate for 4 years. In fact we may not survive as a country. Giving money to re-elect this selfish, self-serving individual will be BAD for Louisiana voters she is supposed to represent. Remember that old, out-dated concept, anyone??? It will be bad for the nation, if some short-sightedness by oil industry results in Mary Landrieus re-election. I am certain that industry pet projects will manage to withstand the defeat of their favored uber-liberal, who no longer even pretends to be anything except a Washington DC resident.
Charlie Fife  |  October 21, 2014
I agree with John. This type of logic is part of what is wrong with the US today.
John Reed  |  October 20, 2014
You have got to be kidding me? How and why would we want this seat to continue to be held by a Democrat that has backed Obama for everything. Can you name one thing that Landreau has done to help Louisiana? We need control of the senate to help stop some of the crazy policies in place now. Can you imagine what will happen in the next two years with the dictator in chief?


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