Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany Nearly Doubling Up New Iberia Congressman Jeff Landry In Fundraising

Campaign finance reports have just been released and Congressman Charles Boustany has a huge leg up on Congressman Jeff Landry in fundraising. Boustany has raised $1.9 million compared to Landry's $975,000. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says "it's shaping up quickly towards them spending a combined total of maybe $2.5 million on this race by the time it unfolds."

Landry raised $300,000 during the second quarter of 2012. Cross says Landry needs to keep searching for ways to generate free publicity.

He is at a serious disadvantage. Money does talk in political campaigns and Boustany has more of the former 7th District constituents in this new really formed 3rd District.

Landry made news last week by criticizing UL Lafayette's minor in lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender studies. Cross says expect a wave of campaign ads in the newly created third district after the Labor Day Holiday. The two will face off on November 6th, 2012.

Meanwhile, the head of the Louisiana Democratic Party says District Three may be a race that has no Democratic candidate. State Party Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson says the state Democrats are rebuilding and may not field candidates for all congressional races this fall. She didn't specify which districts, however. The state's only Democrat Congressman is Cedric Richmond in New Orleans' District Two.