Three State Attorneys General to Speak at RNLA's National Policy Conference on May 5

The RNLA is honored to host three distinguished state attorneys general to speak at its National Policy Conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on May 5: Curtis Hill, Attorney General, State of Indiana; Jeff Landry, Attorney General, State of Louisiana; and Leslie Rutledge, Attorney General, State of Arkansas.

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has focused his agenda on four priorities: rolling back federal overreach; protecting families from drugs and violent crime; safeguarding consumers from fraud and scams; and inspiring youth to pursue meaningful lives.  Prior to his election last November as the top vote-getter of any elected official in Indiana history, General Hill was serving his fourth term as Elkhart County prosecutor.  General Hill has served as a member of the Board of Governors for the Indiana State Bar Association; Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving (past chairman); Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (past trustee); and Board of Regents for the National College of District Attorneys, in addition to serving his community through leadership in a many other organizations. 

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2010, where he was ferocious advocate of the Constitution, a leader on national energy policy emphasizing increased domestic oil and gas production, an activist for conservative family values, and a promoter of true reductions in wasteful government spending.  General Landry is a veteran of Desert Storm and left the military with the rank of Sergeant. He received the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, a National Defense Ribbon, an Overseas Training Ribbon and the Louisiana War Cross from his eleven years of service as a member of the Louisiana National Guard. 

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is the first woman and first Republican in Arkansas history to be elected attorney general.  Along with making the office more accessible, General Rutledge’s priorities have included creating more awareness of the office’s services, such as consumer protection and internet safety for all ages and skill levels; leading efforts to combat domestic violence; and focusing on making the office the top law firm for Arkansans.  She previously served as Deputy Counsel for the Mike Huckabee for President campaign, Deputy Counsel at the National Republican Congressional Committee and Counsel for the Republican National Committee, including during the 2012 Presidential campaign cycle.  General Rutledge is a leader in numerous community organizations including the Junior League, Alpha Delta Pi Alumni, National Rifle Association, and Women in Networking in Central Arkansas.

The early bird registration discount for the National Policy Conference ends next Tuesday, April 18.  Sign up to join us for this exciting event and hear from General Hill, General Landry, and General Rutledge!

A New Way for a D to Win in an R District

The left always tries to define vote fraud as narrowly as possible and often misses the point. However, we will readily admit the following does not fit in the category of vote fraud but does fit in the  theme that some Democrats will do almost anything to win an election:

Former state Representative Damon Baldone wants it all on this fall's ballot to be listed as a Democrat and a Republican.

Baldone, a candidate for the state House on the Oct. 24 ballot, filed a petition today in state court seeking to force the Terrebonne Parish Registrar of Voters to allow the dual registration.

Registrar Rhonda Rogers rejected the Houma lawyer's attempt at dual registration this morning and listed his party affiliation as “other.” . . . 

Baldone is a former Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He represented the 53rd District from 2001 to 2012.

Baldone is running for the seat of a term-limited Republican and presumably feels being a Republican is necessary to win the election.  Baldone’s efforts will hopefully fail.  More unfortunately it is not even close to the most ethically ridiculous thing we have heard a Democrat trying to do to win an election.  

LA Election Engineering, Difficult to Convict & More Difficult to Remedy

Louisiana Election Code “has some bark but barely any bite,” according to Heather Cloud, victim of election engineering in the Turkey Creek, LA Mayoral Election. Residents of Turkey Creek were required to vote twice for mayor after Bert Campbell plead guilty to Fraudulent Election Engineering, Cloud also states:

I'm willing to fight against corruption. I want it out. I want it out of Louisiana politics.

Campbell’s campaign gave mentally handicapped people $15.00 and other promises to manipulate their vote. After being picked up at their home, driven to early voting 25 miles away, the individuals were told to vote the numbers on a card specifically for Bert K. Campbell.

Campbell beat Heather Cloud in the November 4^th election, 110-106.

The only true recourse for Heather Cloud was to pursue it civilly because her other options were for the participants to willingly admit their fault or the District Attorney to criminally charge those involved. Nether would actually happen. Cloud incurred $12,065.00 in court costs and $13,000 in attorney fees.  

The district court dismissed Cloud’s case holding Cloud stated no cause of action, and relying on Savage v. Edwards, the number of votes bought was not enough to change the outcome of the election although it was proven the votes were bought.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s ruling, stating that Cloud did state a cause of action, and remanded to the District Court. On remand the District Court ruled that the four people were given $15.00 to influence their vote, which is illegal in Louisiana, but the judge dismissed again for lack of authority to strike the votes and order a new election.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that the four votes were illegal, instructed the District Judge to strike the votes and to order a new election. Judge Sylvia Cooks stated,

It is time for this foolishness to stop in the state of Louisiana.

The District Judge did strike the votes and called for a new election. All costs were assessed to Campbell, and Cloud was returned only her $12,065.00.

During the court ordered election, they were again harassed and received offers to make all their problems go away in exchange for their support of Campbell. Campbell also claimed that Cloud falsely accused him relying on the fact that no criminal action was taken.

Campbell received six months of jail time, a $500.00 fine, but both were suspended for 18 months probation and $2,000.00 restitution. Bert Campbell would have been able to hold public office unless he was convicted of a felony.

Months later on February 21^st 2015, Cloud won 134 to 118. Cloud hopes this story will point to more legislative election reform to uphold the integrity of our election system.