Calling the upheaval in the Republican presidential race the “canary in the coal mine,” Rep. John Fleming says he is the conservative candidate in the Louisiana U.S. Senate race who can bring about real change.
Republicans hold a 54-46 majority in the Senate but are defending 24 of the 34 seats on the ballot this year as a result of big gains six years ago during the tea party wave. Louisiana’s seat is expected to remain in GOP hands. It is an open seat, since two-term incumbent David Vitter is not seeking re-election.
In Louisiana, all candidates from all parties will be on the ballot on Nov. 8. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two finishers will advance to a run-off. That seems likely just given the number of Republicans already in the race. In addition to Fleming, the field includes Rep. Charles Boustany, retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness and State Treasurer John Kennedy.
The 2016 presidential race has proven this is not a typical campaign, and Fleming believes that bodes very well for him.
“I really believe the presidential race in its current state is the canary in the coal mine,” said Fleming, noting that “outsiders” like Ted Cruz, Donald Trump and Ben Carson consistently combine for 60 percent of the vote or more.
Fleming says voters in his state are fed up with business as usual too and he promises to change that.
“I want to go to the United States Senate because I want to bring Louisiana conservative values to the United States Senate and, frankly, to Washington,” said Fleming. “[Louisiana voters] are so frustrated with Washington, so it’s time we made a huge drastic change in the right direction.”
Fleming is completing his fourth term in the House and his incumbent status might seem like a vulnerability this year. He says it would be if his conservative record wasn’t so strong. Fleming boasts a life time 97 percent rating from the American Conservative Union. He scores 88 percent with Heritage Action and 86 percent with Conservative Review.
Beyond that, he says he’s strong on the core issues Louisiana voters care about most.
“People tell me they want somebody who understands the economy, who’s made a payroll, who’s signed the front of a check. I’m the only candidate in this race that has done that,” said Fleming, noting that he still employs over 500 people.
He also points to a consistent pro-life voting record and what he calls a “perennial A rating from the NRA.”
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Fleming says he is also ready to tackle all national security challenges.
“I’m a strong defender of the nation. I believe in secure voters and a strong national defense. There’s many examples of where I’ve stood up for that,” said Fleming.
But does that consistent voting record equal bold leadership at a tumultuous time in American history. Col. Maness told us recently that it doesn’t.
“They’re not leaders,” Maness said of Fleming and his other GOP rivals. “They’re not proven leaders that are going to go up and lead.”
Fleming strongly rejects allegations that he’s not driving change in Washington.
“I’m the only proven change agent, the only one who’s really proven to have leadership as an outsider against what’s happening in Washington today,” said Fleming.
He says he’s never been a go along to get along guy in Congress.
“Look I’m an outsider. (Former House Speaker) John Boehner put me on his black list in the House of Representatives. He tried to stop me from raising money to support my campaign. And why? Because I didn’t go along with his go along to get along ideas in Washington. As a result of that, I co-founded the House Freedom Caucus,” said Fleming.
He says the House Freedom Caucus initially succeeded in stopping some bad legislation but it soon became obvious that more had to be done.
“Eventually, we forced Speaker Boehner to leave office in mid-term, the first time that’s ever happened without death, health problems or scandal. We even blocked the second-in-command (House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy) from taking over,” said Fleming.
Fleming says this wasn’t a rash decision but one that Republican leadership forced upon conservatives.
“We tried to move leadership in the right direction. When my colleagues and I could not get them to move in the right direction and stand up against the Obama agenda: repeal Obamacare, defund Obamacare, defund Planned Parenthood, defund the Syrian refugee influx. We just had to make a change,” said Fleming.
“No one in this race and, in fact, very few people in history have brought about the leadership for change in Washington than I have and I want to continue that in the United States Senate,” said Fleming.
If elected, Fleming already has plans to make sure Senate Republican leaders hear conservatives loudly and clearly.
“We need to create a House Freedom Caucus in the United States Senate as well. Two of my Freedom Caucus colleagues are also running for the Senate. The three of us will join together with the likes of Mike Lee and others and we’ll be a force for change in the Senate,” said Fleming.
“The Senate needs to do its work. We’ve sent a number of bills from the House, which have been ignored by the Senate,” he added. “We will change that. We will change that once and for all.”
