News -> INDReporter FRI, FEB 11 11:59AM by Leslie Turk

Cortez eyeing Michot’s seat

Certainly no surprise here: First-term state Rep. Page Cortez has his sights set on term-limited District 23 state Sen. Mike Michot’s seat.

Cortez, a Republican representing District 43, has held at least two recent fundraisers at private homes, and his campaign account has more than $100,000. All of the new commitments have not yet been tallied, says Cortez, whose goal is to double that $100,000 in the next 2.5 months. “I’ll be close to $200,000 by the time we go into regular session [April 25],” Cortez says.

State law allows him to raise money until the special redistricting session (exceptions are made if the fundraiser was set before the session was called), scheduled to convene March 20 and end no later than April 13. Lawmakers also are allowed to raise money between the special and regular sessions, and Cortez says he’s already slated a fundraiser for that window as well.

The election for all of Louisiana’s 39 Senate districts and 105 House districts is Nov. 19, with the primary Oct. 22 and qualifying Sept. 6-8. “I don’t really see a scenario where I wouldn’t be [a Senate candidate],” Cortez says, noting that the main factor affecting his decision is the uncertainty over redistricting. While it appears that his home off Kaliste Saloom Road will remain in District 23, there are no certainties in the process.

In January 2008 Cortez, a local furniture store owner, assumed the seat vacated by Republican Ernie Alexander, who did not seek a third term. Cortez defeated fellow Republican Patrick LeBlanc, garnering 7,742 votes (55.5 percent) compared to LeBlanc’s 6,218 votes (44.5 percent). About five months after the election, LeBlanc was killed in a plane crash.


Comments (12)add
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written by Compassionate One , February 11, 2011 - 01:24 pm
Who will run for Mr. Cortez's seat? Any guesses/speculation?
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written by Ophelia 46 , February 11, 2011 - 01:59 pm
Here's a not-so-trivial question for you: Name one important or meaningful piece of legislation that Cortez co-authored or help pass. Go ahead. Just try.

N.B. Important or meaningful.
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written by Plumpy , February 11, 2011 - 02:46 pm
I'm voting for anybody who goes against Mike "F" Michot...
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written by NoBoDy , February 11, 2011 - 02:52 pm
at least four people are running for that seat from what I can tell. But I'm nobody and don't know nothin'.
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written by Docy B , February 11, 2011 - 04:26 pm
A republican CLOWN is a REPUBLICAN. Unless you elect progressive liberal democrats to these offices, you will still get the crazy talk that republicans are known for. You know, craziness like Obama is a muslim, second amendment remedies, I'm not a witch, seceed, repeal healthcare, etc.

Come on people, we need to begin winning the future!
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written by RCajunrunner , February 11, 2011 - 06:13 pm
Cortez was the author of HB 519, which passed last year to reform the retire/re-hire process in the state. Remember Sally Clausen taking a $500k/yr. position while also receiving a huge retirement pension? The IND ran a front page story on several Lafayette area appointees doing the same thing.

Cortez would not be my idea fighter for the State Senate, but at least he didn't vote times for an unconstitutional $118 Million income tax increase two years ago. Michot did.
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written by realitychecks , February 11, 2011 - 09:58 pm
Come to think of it, maybe the StarChamber of Convulsionists gave an F to Michot as a warning shot for the next guy? He's on the way out and they want to totally control the replacement, right?....
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written by The Original Northsidian , February 12, 2011 - 08:45 am
How did Cortez vote on the legislative pay issue? You know, the vote they hope you forget about!
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written by true , February 13, 2011 - 03:29 pm
Cortez is not as arrogant to the taxpayers as Michot. He voted against the pay raise, just like he voted against the big tax increase Michot tried pushing through the Capitol.
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written by The Original Northsidian , February 14, 2011 - 05:11 pm
Well true: if that is the case, Mr. Cortez has my vote!!
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written by BoFred , February 15, 2011 - 05:20 am
Keep it in the family! On the job training and a built in camaign war chest. Who wouldn't consider it?
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written by Northsidian Shotgun , February 15, 2011 - 09:31 am
I have the perfect visible spot set aside for Cortez's campaign sign here on my property which fronts on this busy throughfare..... Thats how much I believe in Paige Cortez, he is the only untainted politico in the mix....
Heres to Paige Cortez
I take him, you take the rest
A rising star, with untained crest
In God we trust, in Paige we invest

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