Perry to stump for Republican in Louisiana Senate runoff

Bill Cassidy, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate runoff in Louisiana (Source: Facebook)

Bill Cassidy, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate runoff in Louisiana (Source: Facebook)

AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry is returning to the campaign trail to lend a hand to Louisiana Congressman Bill Cassidy, the Republican looking to unseat Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu in a runoff next month.

On Tuesday morning, Perry is scheduled to join Cassidy for a get-out-the-vote rally at the Louisiana GOP’s office in Lafayette. They will headline two more rallies in the afternoon — one at a studio facility in Baton Rouge and the other at a park in Covington, according to Cassidy’s campaign.

“November 4th was a great night for Republicans and for the country. But an important race went to overtime, and Gov. Perry is going to Louisiana to help get Bill Cassidy over the finish line,” Perry spokesman Travis Considine said in a statement. “The Governor knows that with Dr. Cassidy in the U.S. Senate, he can use his professional experience to fight Obamacare and jump-start America’s economy by helping create energy jobs.”

Perry endorsed Cassidy in May, touting his belief in the same “free-market, conservative ideals” that have driven economic progress in Texas. Earlier this month, Perry sent a fundraising email on behalf of Cassidy. 

Cassidy has maintained a double-digit lead over Landrieu in most polls conducted since Election Day, when neither captured a majority to win outright. Cassidy is expected to absorb some support from people who voted for a tea party-backed candidate who did not make the runoff.

Early voting for the Dec. 6 contest began Saturday.

 

Patrick Svitek