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Friday, March 29, 2024

Senator endorses La. AG's re-election effort

Caldwell

BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Sen. David Vitter last week endorsed Louisiana Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell for reelection.

Vitter, in an e-mail to supporters Thursday, praised Caldwell's commitment to conservative principles and protecting the state's taxpayers and families, calling him "a leader."

"Buddy Caldwell has consistently fought to protect Louisiana taxpayers and Louisiana families. I am proud to endorse him for reelection as attorney general," said Vitter, Louisiana's Republican senator.

"Buddy has fought Obamacare in the courts, stood up against illegal immigration and supported our core principles of mainstream conservative reform. He's locked up violent predators that harm our families and children, and given victims a strong voice in the criminal justice system.

"Thanks to Buddy Caldwell, Louisiana's a safer and a better place to work and raise our families. That's why we need keep him as our attorney general."

Caldwell was one of the original state attorneys general to file suit challenging the constitutionality of President Barack Obama's federal health care reform.

Fourteen states, joined later by 12 others, filed a challenge to the law in March 2010. The 26 states contend that its individual mandate requiring that all Americans purchase health insurance or face a penalty is unconstitutional.

Caldwell said he was honored to have Vitter's support.

"Sen. Vitter has been at the forefront in standing up to the federal government's intrusion into our daily lives. I can think of no better ally for Louisiana to have in Washington or for me to have in my campaign," he said in a statement last week.

So far, Caldwell has one opponent.

Former U.S. Congressman Anh "Joseph" Cao, also a Republican, said in April that he plans to challenge the now-Republican Caldwell.

Cao, the first Vietnamese American to serve in Congress, pointed to Caldwell's switch from Democrat to Republican, calling it a "politically expedient... flip flop."

Caldwell officially switched parties on Feb. 2.

Cao served in Congress from 2009 to 2011, representing Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District, and was the first Republican to serve in that district since 1891.

From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.

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