NEWS

‘Kissing congressman’ plans comeback, aims for Walsworth

Greg Hilburn
USA TODAY Network

Former U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister, who made national headlines as the “kissing congressman,” is planning a political comeback.

McAllister, R-Swartz, whose kissing scandal cost him re-election to the 5th Congressional District seat in 2014, told Gannett Louisiana on Friday in an exclusive interview he will run against state Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, for the Louisiana Senate District 33 seat.

“This district needs somebody who hasn’t been in the pocket of a governor (Bobby Jindal) who sold out the state to run for president,” McAllister said.

McAllister was embraced by voters as a self-made millionaire and everyman when he shocked the field as an unknown and won the 5th District seat in 2013 with 60 percent in a special election.

But the following spring a video surfaced showing the married congressman kissing a married member of his congressional staff.

That cost him re-election. McAllister finished with 11 percent of the vote and out of the runoff in the fall 2014 election that current 5th District U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, eventually won.

On Friday, McAllister, who reconciled with his wife, Kelly, said he considers the scandal “old news” and hopes voters will as well.

“I didn’t hide from it; I admitted my mistake and asked for forgiveness,” he said. “The first question I asked Kelly before we made the decision is would it bother her, and she said no.”

Kelly McAllister, who was present during Friday’s interview, agreed. “I support Vance’s decision to serve,” she said.

“I know the issue will be there, but I don’t think it will be a focal point unless my opponent attacks me,” McAllister said.

McAllister said he believes it’s important to bring stronger representation to the Legislature, calling Walsworth a do-nothing lawmaker “who’s good at showing up for photo ops and has been a Jindal puppet.”

“The Jindal-Walsworth administration hasn’t been prosperous for District 33,” he said. “He’s a 20-year politician (12 years in the House, eight in the Senate) who has laid down on the job outside of photo opportunities. I’m approached by people every day who believe we can do better and have to do better, and that’s why I’m running.”

District 33 includes parts of Claiborne, Lincoln, Morehouse, Ouachita, Union and West Carroll parishes.

McAllister, who still owes about $900,000 to his failed congressional campaign, said he will form a Senate campaign committee and begin aggressively raising funds immediately.

“I’ve got the fire in my belly to do what’s right and to set priorities like higher education and health care without raising taxes and fees by $600 million like (Walsworth) and the other legislators did in the last (session),” he said. “They said they had to hold their noses and vote yes. I don’t believe that. I believe you’re sent by the voters to find solutions that you can vote on without having to hold your nose.”

Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter @GregHilburn1