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heitmeier enters secretary of state race

www.thedeadpelican.com

State Senator Francis Heitmeier (D-New Orleans), the chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee who has $800,000 in his campaign warchest, is now a candidate for Secretary of State, THE DEAD PELICAN has learned.

Heitmeier told attendees gathered at the 2006 Louisiana Sheriffs' Association Annual Training Conference in Destin, Florida today that he is running for the state's third highest post.

Heitmeier is term limited in 2007, having served in the Louisiana Senate since 1992. Prior to his service in the Senate, he was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for eight years and a Deputy Assessor.

Observers believe Heitmeier's candidacy will be a major blow to fellow Senator Jay Dardenne (R-Baton Rouge), who appeared to be positioning himself to the left during the recent legislative session in order to attract votes from moderates and liberals in what was once shaping up to be an all-Republican primary.