Campaigns stretch on to final moments

• By SARAH CHACKO AND GERARD SHIELDS
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Nov 4, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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The day before the final votes are cast in two federal races, candidates were busy meeting the last-minute demands of their campaigns — reinforcing their staff with fliers and signs, shaking hands with as many potential voters as possible and thanking those who have already given their support.

A U.S. Senate seat and the local 6th U.S. Congressional District seat are up for election today, along with the national presidential race and a parish bond election.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., is challenged by Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy.

In the 6th District race, incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Cazayoux, D-New Roads, is running against state Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, and state Rep. Michael Jackson, No Party-Baton Rouge.

Kennedy’s campaigning on Monday started at 5:30 a.m. at the Northrop Grumman plant in Bridge City. By noon, he was shaking hands at T-Coons Restaurant in Lafayette.

Kennedy cruised through the restaurant asking about 50 patrons for their vote and making sure he didn’t skip those waiting in the buffet line.

“Every vote counts,” Kennedy said.

The visit impressed Veronica Miller, a 27-year-old Lafayette resident who had her picture taken with him.

“It’s great that he’s going to local businesses,” Miller said. “This is where the regular people are.”

From Lafayette, Kennedy was heading to another eatery in Metairie to finish the campaign effort he started 12 hours earlier.

“We’ve had all the polls and only one poll counts, the voters,” Kennedy said. “We’re going to keep going until the polls close.”

Landrieu arrived at a local campaign office in Lafayette about 4 p.m. where she was met by about 30 supporters cheering “fired up” and “ready to go.”

Former Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco of Lafayette introduced Landrieu and stressed the senator’s 12 years of seniority.