Farmer running for 5th District

• By SARAH CHACKO
• Advocate Capitol news bureau
• Published: Sep 28, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander said he hardly has to defend himself from allegations by his opponent in the 5th Congressional District race that he lacks the conservatism needed to carry the Republican Party.

Alexander, R-Quitman, said the people and businesses of the 5th District, where he is running for his fourth term, are happy with his service.

The winner of the Oct. 4 primary election will take the seat because no Democrat is running.

But Republican candidate Andrew Clack, of Rayville, said people are tired of seeing Republicans such as Alexander bend to Democrats in Congress. Clack has been challenging Alexander, a former Democrat, on Alexander’s  dedication to conservative values.

Americans are allowing Democratic leadership, but not because they believe in it, Clack said.

“It’s because the Republicans and conservatives are sitting out,” Clack said. “I felt there was absolutely nothing I could do as I saw my party and country move to the left.”

So, Clack said, he decided to enter his congressional district race.

Clack turned 25, the minimum age required to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, just days before candidates were allowed to sign up for the elections.

No one in his immediate family has held an elected office, Clack said. But his mother and father were significant in shaping his conservative values, along with radio host Rush Limbaugh, he said.

Alexander started his political career 37 years ago at age 25 when he was elected to the Jackson Parish Police Jury, where he served with his father.

Alexander said he remembers watching his father worry over new libraries and hospitals.

“I couldn’t understand why he wanted to fool with a political appointment,” Alexander said. “It didn’t seem that important.”

Once Alexander grew up and started raising a family of his own, he said, he realized his father knew life could be better for his son.