Gary Chambers plans upset bid against John Kennedy in Senate race
Louisiana’s 2022 U.S. Senate race is taking shape as Democrat Gary Chambers Jr., a Baton Rouge community activist who made a splash in last year’s 2nd Congressional District election before falling short, will challenge Republican Sen. John Kennedy.
Chambers joins former U.S. Navy fighter pilot Luke Mixon, a Democrat and political novice, as among those mounting bids to upset Kennedy.
“Every single day, Louisianans across the state work hard to lift their families up to make ends meet and to build a better future for their children, and every day they are met with roadblock after roadblock, especially this past year,” Chambers said in a press release.
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“I’m running for Louisiana Senate because it’s time for real change in Louisiana from a candidate who understands first-hand the challenges facing Louisianans every day,” he said.
Chambers said he would support President Biden’s $1.8 trillion social spending bill that has stalled in the Senate, voting rights protections and universal Medicare.
The election is set for Nov. 8 with official qualifying July 20-22.
More:Troy Carter, Karen Carter Peterson to face off for New Orleans’ congressional seat
Chambers made his mark on the political landscape last year when he showed surprising grassroots support in his race against political heavyweights Troy Carter and Karen Carter Petersonin the 2nd Congressional District race,
In the primary, Carter finished first with 36%, followed by Peterson with 23% with Chambers finishing just out of the money with 21%.
Carter, D-New Orleans, eventually beat Peterson, D-New Orleans, in the runoff to win the seat.
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
Read More: Gary Chambers plans upset bid against John Kennedy in Senate race