LaPolitics by Maginnis: Runoff looms in 3rd District; Decisions on LSU changes could come this fall

Published Aug 24, 2012 at 10:00 am (Updated Aug 24, 2012)

The late entry of a potentially well-funded Democrat changes the complexion of the 3rd Congressional District race, which up until qualifying had been between Republican congressmen Charles Boustany and Jeff Landry. Lake Charles attorney Ron Richard's promise of a well-funded, aggressive campaign could force a December runoff between any two of the three. The concern for Boustany would be for Richard to pull enough votes to force a Boustany-Landry runoff in December. With fewer Democrats turning out then, the all-GOP matchup could more resemble the closed party primary that vaulted Landry to Congress in 2010.

—The LSU Board of Supervisors is going to school this fall to determine how to restructure the management of the university system and identify the kind of leader or leaders who would carry out the plan. The consensus of supervisors, meeting in retreat this past weekend, is to know which way they are going by the end of the year—or earlier, according to supervisor Blake Chatelain. "I hope we make a decision in October," says the Alexandria banker. "As chairman of the search committee, I'm ready to start looking." The full board just needs to tell him what to look for: a new president and a new chancellor for the main campus, or someone to fill a combined position. Chatelain sees the board leaning toward the latter.

They said it: "Jackpot! I can now take my six kids to Chick-fil-A this weekend." —Consultant Timmy Teepell on learning he has a $100 utility deposit check in the state unclaimed property fund, in The Advocate

(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)

Today's poll question: Do you think the LSU Board of Supervisors should hire a new president and new chancellor for the Baton Rouge campus, or combine the positions?