**updated**
Dartez drops out of race for secretary of state
07/20/06 XXXX 12:50:11 PM CST
Jeremy Alford of THE DAILY REPORT reports today that State Rep. Carla Dartez is ending her bid for secretary of state, which became an open post roughly one year ago this month with the death of Fox McKeithen. Dartez, a Morgan City Democrat, says she has raised only $60,000 for the statewide contest and competition has intensified. State Sen. Francis Heitmeier, D-New Orleans, jumped into the fray last week with an impressive $800,000 war chest and a larger base of regional support to sustain a campaign, THE DAILY REPORT reports. . "I just have to be realistic," Dartez says. "If I was the only Democrat in the race, the party could raise money for me. But I'm not anymore."
MORE
Former state GOP chairman Mike Francis got the nod from U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who is considered a front-runner for the 2008 presidential election, Jeremy Alford of THE DAILY REPORT reports. Alford also reports that State Sen. Jay Dardenne is touting a $2,000 donation from Congressman Richard Baker, and that both men are Republicans from Baton Rouge.
Developing...
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by Chad E. Rogers
http://www.thedeadpelican.com for updates
(C) THE DEAD PELICAN 2006
