Mary Landrieu Worried; May Not Be Kissing Enough Oil Industy Ass Often Enough

Endangered Senate Energy chairwoman Mary Landrieu has a new problem to worry about — the risk that her longtime supporters in the oil and gas industry would abandon her in a December runoff against Republican challenger Bill Cassidy.

Even before Wednesday’s news of a personnel shakeup in the Louisiana Democrat’s campaign, people in the industry were grappling with a tough decision: whether to stick with one of their staunchest champions on the Hill or embrace Cassidy in hopes of putting Republicans in charge of the Senate. Some of them say the choice has become especially acute in recent months, with polls indicating the likelihood of a Dec. 6 runoff that could decide which party controls the chamber.

Also working against Landrieu is the partisan gridlock in the Senate, which has prevented floor votes on a series of pro-drilling, anti-Environmental Protection Agency bills that the industry wants, including legislation she championed that would approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline. That paralysis has convinced many in the industry that their best hopes lie in a GOP-led Senate, even some Landrieu supporters say. “If she is the only thing standing in between Mitch McConnell being majority leader and Harry Reid, I think oil and gas goes to Bill Cassidy,” said one D.C.-based oil industry executive who has raised money for Landrieu.

“I think there are a lot of industry participants that are soul searching,” said Jim Noe, executive vice president of the Houston-based company Hercules Offshore and executive director of the Shallow Water Energy Security Coalition, who has raised and donated money for Landrieu’s past campaigns but held off this time. “It’s a pretty compelling case that Cassidy can make in saying, ‘I know she’s your friend, but look at all the things we can do with a Republican-controlled Congress.’”

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http://www.politico.com/story/2014/10/mary-landrieu-bill-cassidy-elections-senate-111740.html?hp=r8