Knezek Bows Out Of Congressional Race

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — The race to fill an open U.S. House seat representing the Lafayette and Lake Charles areas has one less candidate.

Erick Knezek, a Republican member of the Lafayette Parish School Board and CEO of an engineering company, announced Thursday he is suspending his campaign for the 3rd Congressional District seat.

Knezek didn't give a reason for dropping out of the race in his statement and didn't say who he would support for the seat.

At least six other contenders remain in the race, including former gubernatorial candidate Scott Angelle and Clay Higgins, a former sheriff's captain dubbed the "Cajun John Wayne."

The election is Nov. 8. The seat is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, a Republican from Lafayette who is running for the U.S. Senate.