First District Congressman David Vitter recently announced his candidacy for the upcoming Senate race in Louisiana.
The Republican was endorsed by his friend of twelve years, former gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal.
Jindal announced his candidacy for Vitter’s First District congressional seat on Jan. 29.
“David is a bright and talented leader who fights hard for Louisiana,” said Jindal in a Jan. 7 press release. “The First Congressional District has been served very well by David Vitter, and I know he will bring the same energy and effectiveness to the U.S. Senate.”
If elected senator, Vitter said that in order to improve higher education, the state must help each university focus on its strengths, instead of trying to offer the best program in each area.
“Colleges are what the river and the railroad were to the old economy,” Vitter said. “We must use higher education to develop good jobs.”
During his term as congressman, Vitter has worked with the University of New Orleans in developing the Navy Information Technology Center, which is a high-tech sector of the New Orleans economy.
Vitter also has worked with Richard Baker to develop the Pennington Research Center in Baton Rouge.
Vitter said that the most challenging aspect of his job as congressman was replacing Bob Livingston, who he praised for his job as chair of the Appropriations Committee. Vitter now sits on the Appropriations Committee.
“I think I have been an effective congressman in two ways,” Vitter said. “By voicing opinions and concerns in national debate as a Louisiana conservative, and by working on concrete plans and priorities especially on the Appropriations Committee.”
If elected to the Senate, Vitter vows to address state concerns such as coastal erosion and the fight to protect Louisiana’s domestic sugar industry.
He said that he will work with the President to fight terrorism, boost the economy and provide tax cuts. Vitter said that, although he has strong support for the President, he disagrees with Bush’s recent proposal for immigrants, and his view on importing foreign sugar.
When thinking of his campaign and his hopes for Louisiana, Vitter said he keeps in mind the young individuals in the state and their future.
“I want my kids to have a life of great opportunity, and I would love for that to be here in Louisiana.”