LA-Gov: Is John Breaux a Louisianian?

The drama over a possible run by former US Senator John Breaux (D-LA) for governor continues as two state legislators have contacted the state's Attorney General, Charles C. Foti, for his opinion on Breaux's status. In response, two other legislators have asked Foti to not issue an opinion:

Reps. Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte, and William Daniel IV, R-Baton Rouge, asked Foti to issue an opinion in the next five days on whether Breaux meets the requirements as a "citizen" of the state. Foti, like Breaux, is a Democrat and is expected to seek re-election on the same ballot that Breaux wants to be on.

Just hours after Foti's office received that letter, Rep. Jim Tucker, R-Algiers, and Sen. Noble Ellington, D-Winnsboro, asked Foti "not to accept the request to render an opinion" on Breaux's qualifications.

At issue here are the eligibility requirements that one must meet to run for LA-Gov. The state constitution says that one must be a "citizen" of the state for five years to throw one's hat in the gubernatorial ring. The problem is that Breaux is currently a resident of Maryland, but says he's still a Louisianian:

LaFleur also asked Foti to consider if Breaux is eligible based on the fact he owns a home and immovable property in the state and has paid taxes on the property since 1969; has paid income taxes to the state from 1968 to 2006; leases a residence in the state; owns a vehicle that is titled and "physically located in the state of Louisiana" and has exercised his right to vote only "in Louisiana and in no other state."

LaFleur said Breaux also owns homes in Maryland and the District of Columbia; claims a homestead exemption on his home in Maryland; has a Maryland driver's license because he owns a vehicle that is licensed and titled in Maryland; and declared his residence in Maryland, but not his citizenship, when he registered to vote there in 2005.

This is a very important issue that must be resolved as soon as possible if the Democrats have any hope of successfully challenging Republican Congressman Bobby Jindal's campaign. Naturally, Jindal's supporters want Foti to keep out of this, because an AG's opinion in favor of Breaux will start a juggernaut of activity. By asking Foti to back off, any discussion of Breaux's status would be put off until election qualifying 90 days prior to the race. If the courts were to rule in favor of the Republicans at that point, there would be no time for another Democrat to get in the race.

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