News -> INDReporter THU, FEB 17 11:19AM by Walter Pierce

In Senate 26 race, Perry is ‘empowered’

Republican Jonathan Perry has won the endorsement of Empower PAC, the political action committee of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The first-term state representative from Kaplan is vying for the vacant state Senate District 26 seat in Saturday’s election against Democrat Nathan Granger, an Erath business owner and member of the Vermilion Parish Police Jury. The Senate district comprises about half of Vermilion Parish and parts of Acadia, Lafayette and St. Landry parishes.

Both candidates were interviewed recently by the PAC. In announcing its endorsement, the committee says Perry “was primarily selected for endorsement because the PAC membership was impressed with his stances on education issues and regionalism efforts. Perry earned a 91 percent voting record with the chamber during last year’s legislative session.”

The PAC’s reference to Perry’s 91 percent score on the legislative scorecard is sticking in the craw of some chamber members still incensed by the failing grade given to state Sen. Mike Michot, a Lafayette Republican in his final term. In an email to chamber President/CEO Rob Guidry obtained by The Ind, one chamber member writes of the Perry endorsement:

Maybe this PAC thing should be reconsidered. It seems to step in it a good bit. Nathan Granger is an EXTREMEMLY  (please note the capital letters) successful businessman and capitalist... On actual success in business I would find it hard to believe Perry is that much more successful than Granger. This is another example of the chamber dividing rather than uniting overall business interests.

Walter Pierce
About the author:


Comments (17)add
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written by truth , February 17, 2011 - 04:22 pm
Jonathan Perry voted against the legislative pay raises in 2008. Nathan Granger, as a police juror, voted FOR PJ pay raises.

No doubt Nathan Granger is a successful businessman, but why was he voting for the taxpayers of Vermilion Parish to fund an increase in his political office (part-time) salary?
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written by Well... , February 17, 2011 - 04:35 pm
Not sure how much weight the Chamber has in SD26 (or anywhere).

But the news that Granger's Campaign Manager Pat Devney was an Obama organizer in the State of Washington, seems likely to hit the campaign like a bombshell since its been trumpeted on The Dead Pelican for two days now.
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written by Walter Pierce , February 17, 2011 - 04:37 pm
Actually, truth, you're mistaken. Granger voted AGAINST the police jury pay raise and, after it was approved, declined to accept it.
This comment box won't let me paste in the full link, but if you Google "Granger declines pay raise" you'll find an article published in The Abbeville Meridional detailing it.

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written by truth , February 17, 2011 - 05:08 pm
Ok, then I got bad info. Thanks Walter. Carry on...

Pay raise, no pay raise, I think it's great that what seems like for once in YEARS, there is a political race where voters in a legislative district get to vote for the BEST candidate, not the least-worst. Both are good, honest guys. I personally prefer Perry, but Granger is certainly not a bad candidate.
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written by lafla , February 17, 2011 - 05:43 pm
Both candidates, seemed OK. I would vote the businessman over the lawyer any day, but
the info about Granger's campaign manager's work for Obama is enough to make me vote Perry.

I recall the drilling moratorium and permits not being granted.
Can someone at the IND check to see if Well is correct on the campaign manager's roll with Obama in Washington State?

I'm not sure Obama policies on the petroleum industry need to have a local voice.

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written by Plumpy , February 17, 2011 - 06:30 pm
If Granger is a conservative and pro business. Why is he still associated with the democrat party ? After what Obama has done to the oil industry. You would think he would have switched parties and denounced Obama ! Something's very fishy about that Granger guy...
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written by RCajunrunner , February 17, 2011 - 07:01 pm
LafLA:

Here's the link to The Dead Pelican article, where they further link to some documents and information tying the campaign worker to Obama's organization.

http://www.thedeadpelican.com/2011/26c.htm

I'll let people judge that for themselves. Personally, I'm supporting Jonathan Perry because he is one of the very few, true fiscal conservatives we currently have in Baton Rouge. Nathan Granger would maybe make a good legislator as well. However, Jonathan, with his already established voting record, would bring some real fiscal responsibility to the State Senate. The Senate is the body that tacked on an extra $2 Billion in spending to the Operating Budget last year. Gov. Jindal then lobbied for the House to approve the additional spending. Rep. Perry was one very few House members who voted against approving the amendments, which unfortunately meant, though, that the fiscally irresponsible budget passed. I want someone with Rep. Perry's record in the Senate. The big spending Republicans could use a real limited government face.

One more thing, I am getting tired of hearing the same line, "Granger is a businessman and we don't need any more lawyers in government". I bet some of those voices are coming from people who supported Vitter over Melancon in that district, being Vitter cleaned house in SD 26. Vitter is a lawyer, Melancon is not. Not at all saying Melancon was the better candidate (he was a fiscal liberal), but just pointing out that fact.

Perry's not some liberal trial lawyer either. He has been a prosecutor, assistant D.A. His lawyer days involve making sure convicted criminals, especially violent criminals, are put behind bars. He has used this experience as a member of the House Criminal Justice Committee to defeat some very bad parole bills that liberal legislators from NOLA and BR have attempted to push through.

Small government, anti-tax voting record. Tough against violent criminals. That sounds like a pretty darn good candidate for Senate to me!
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written by So Perry's not a Trial Lawyer??? , February 17, 2011 - 07:24 pm
As a rebuttal to the post above about Jonathan Perry not being a trial lawyer, I would point to the email below sent out to all trail lawyers by their lobby. Seems to me the trial lawyers are supporting Jonathan Perry......


Subject: [laautotort] Perry, Senate 26, anti trial lawyer attack
To: LAJ Auto Tort Section
List: laautotort Sent by: Tom Angers
Search




Listers,
Jonathan Perry is a lawyer in private practice in Kaplan running for the senate. He does some personal injury work. He is facing an anti trial lawyer attack from his opponent.
You can help Jonathn by going to his website and donating on line at www.Perry4louisiana.com The election is Saturday and it is very close.
Let's fight back against the anti-trial lawyer demagoguery and hysteria.
If you have clients, family or friends in this district call them and tell them to turn out their families and friends and neighbors.
This election will be won by who gets their vote out.
If you can help Jonathan in any other way call the numbers on his website or call me and I will put you in touch with the rightperson.
Thank you.

Tom Angers
337-233-3268

__.___._
List Members | lafj.org | Search Depos | List Archives | Search Case Law Nationwide

Sponsored by: The James Street Group and TrialSmith.com



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written by ToddG , February 17, 2011 - 08:10 pm
Please explain how a lawyer supporting Perry is worse than Granger's campaign manager being one of Obama's boys?
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written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , February 17, 2011 - 09:06 pm
Granger declines pay raise, Duh, Chump Change, the fruits not yet ripe on the tree, give the boy some time.
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written by lafla , February 17, 2011 - 09:14 pm
I'm disappointed about the Obama connection.
Both candidates seem similar, but there's an awful lot of lawyers in Baton Rouge.
Although I did vote for Perry when he ran for state rep.

I think the Obama stance with the oil industry is simply bad for Louisiana, but very bad for Acadiana. I knew people who were out of work for months.
One might think Granger would have seen this coming and said no thanks to an Washington State Obama organizer no matter how talented.

Still, I would like to see THE IND verify this.
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written by ToddG , February 17, 2011 - 10:43 pm
It was verified in Granger's campaign report and in the paperwork to form his campaign committee. It's an undeniable fact. See the documents in the link below...

http://www.thedeadpelican.com/2011/26c.htm
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written by Stop the Negativity , February 17, 2011 - 11:40 pm
I hardly see how anyone can say that Nathan Granger is one of "Obama's Boys". I think the poster above just recanted the other guy's post stating that, in fact, Mr. Perry is supported by the Trial Lawyers. At least that's what I got from reading that email about the trial lawyers making a strong effort to help Mr. Perry.

I think Mr. Granger owns an oilfield service company, and if so, why would he support Obama? I just don't think that makes any sense at all. It appears to me that rather than focus on the issues at hand, many people would prefer spew rather silly innuendos about both candidates.

Here's my take. Seems to me both candidates are solid guys and family men with conservative values. To me the choice comes down to the single difference between the two candidates in experience. One has experience and has been successful in business and the other has been a successful lawyer. I am making the choice to support the candidate with successful business experience, Mr. Granger. My rationale is simple for this; we need more folks in government that know how to run successful businesses in the real world.


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written by Dr.Northsidian Shotgun , February 18, 2011 - 01:57 pm
" The Notorious Gentlemans Club, hereby announce their support of Nathan Granger, one of Lafayette's own successful businessmen.
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written by Here are facts! , February 19, 2011 - 12:03 am
My family has known Nathan Granger his entire life. Nathan grew up from humble beginnings and created a great life for he and his beautiful family including paying it forward. He is owner of 2 oil field related companies creating near 1000 jobs. He is intelligent, honest, can't be bought, has a strong faith & work ethic, is involved in his community, is pro-life, pro-business and is respected by many.

I find it appalling the Perry Camp is so desperate to spew out lies!!!!! This is a local race and WE will decide who best represents us. The Perry Camp has fired-up Nathan Granger supporters and they will get out tomorrow and get the vote out.

Congratulations in advance....Senator Nathan Granger!!!!
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written by verite absolue , February 19, 2011 - 03:45 am
@Here are the facts! So there are numerous websites that have posted that Mr. Granger hired as his campaign manager a former campaign person for President Obama...are the websites not telling the truth. What about Mr. Granger's financials that he turned into the Louisiana Board of Ethics...it listed Mr. Pat Devney as being paid as campaign manager...who is also listed on President Obama's website, when he ran for office, as campaign personnel. Those are not lies!!! Maybe you would like to elaborate?
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written by Here are facts! , February 19, 2011 - 04:16 pm
@ verite absolue: You and the numerous websites failed to mention Ms. Brooke Guilbeau, who is also Mr. Nathan Granger's campaign manager. Ms. Guilbeau worked for U. S. Senator David Vitter. Both Guilbeau and Devney are excellent in their field. So....please stop with your negative and desperate antics. The Perry Camp has stooped to an all-time low including being supported by "Special Interest." Again, District 26 knows who will best represent them....someone who can't be bought! Geaux Granger!!!!!!!!
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