Politics for July 5, 2009

• By CAPITOL NEWS BUREAU
• Published: Jul 5, 2009 - Page: 1B

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Jimmy Faircloth, the governor’s executive counsel, is resigning to focus more on his campaign for the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Faircloth’s last day is Friday.

“I am confident that stepping down is proper to avoid any appearance of conflict,” he wrote in his resignation letter.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said in a statement that Faircloth will be missed.

“Jimmy’s an incredible lawyer and has been a wonderful asset to our office,” the governor said.

Prior to the legislative session, which began in April, Jindal told the press that Faircloth was running for the 4th Louisiana Supreme Court District seat vacated by Supreme Court Justice Chet Traylor, who retired. The 4th District covers northeast and north-central Louisiana.

The primary election is scheduled for Oct. 17. Candidate sign-up is Aug. 12-14.

The governor’s press secretary, Kyle Plotkin, said the administration is searching for a new executive counsel.

Rep. Cassidy fields infidelity query
The topic of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s extra-marital affair came up briefly at U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy’s health-care town hall meeting last week.

One of the questioners jokingly asked Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, if he ever had a mistress, would he tell his constituents before telling the media.

Cassidy said he wouldn’t stray from his wife, Laura. “Aside from my love for my wife, it’s that .357 Magnum she has,” Cassidy said, evoking laughter.

Some PACs must file electronically
The Louisiana Board of Ethics is alerting political action committees that they now may be required to file their campaign finance reports electronically.

Effective July 1, political action committees that receive contributions or make expenditures in excess of $50,000 in a calendar year must file their disclosure reports electronically.