Former US Rep. Cao enters Senate race in Louisiana

Source: Associated Press

Former US Rep. Cao enters Senate race in Louisiana

Kevin Mcgill, Associated Press

Updated 6:11 pm, Tuesday, March 1, 2016

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Another Republican is joining the U.S. Senate race in Louisiana. Former U.S. Rep. Joseph Cao announced his candidacy Tuesday in a news release. Cao became the nation's first Vietnamese-American congressman with his unexpected defeated of a scandal-plagued incumbent Democrat, William Jefferson, in 2008. Two years later, he lost the New Orleans-based seat to another Democrat, Cedric Richmond.

Four other Republicans have announced plans to compete for the seat on the November ballot: U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, U.S. Rep. John Fleming, state Treasurer John Kennedy and retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness.

A Democrat, New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard, announced her candidacy a month ago. Another Democrat, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, has not made a formal announcement but has begun telling news outlets that he will be a candidate.

The seat is being vacated by David Vitter, who announced he would not seek re-election after losing last year's governor's race.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Former-US-Rep-Cao-enters-Senate-race-in-Louisiana-6864125.php