The race for Louisiana Public Service Commission’s third district is getting national attention. Fifty-seven-year-old incumbent Lambert Boissiere III is facing a stiff challenge from 30-year-old activist Davante Lewis in the December 10 runoff election. Both are Democrats.
LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Lewis has raised so much money that Boissiere is taking note.
“Two days before Thanksgiving, Lambert Boissiere loaned himself $20,000. That’s a heck of a headline for an incumbent in any election,” Alford said.
Alford said campaign finance reports show Lewis raised $30,000 in one three-day period last week.
A high-profile super PAC has about $1.1 million and is using it to attack Boissiere.
The five-member commission regulates utilities and sets electric rates. Alford says Lewis’s support is likely rooted in anger over skyrocketing electric bills.
“I think we’re starting to see an anti-Entergy sentiment sweep through the state and this may be the first look at it,” Alford said.
He added that a major infusion of out-of-state donations is helping Lewis. Many are from environmental activists who want the energy industry to shift away from fossil fuels.
“You kind of feel the momentum kind of building at the back of Davante Lewis. If he can keep up this fundraising and this type of media coverage we could have a real barnburner,” Alford said.