Ewing seeks
positive race Gubernatorial candidate Randy Ewing of Quitman said he will conduct his campaign in a positive manner and urged other candidates to agree to do the same. Ewing, former president of the Louisiana Senate, also proposed that a nonpartisan organization or committee take on the task of drafting a Clean Campaigns Pledge that all candidates could agree to follow. The proposed pledge would not be legally binding but would put candidates on record regarding how they would conduct their campaigns. "Negative campaigns that use half-truths and slander about candidates take emphasis off of the issues facing the state," said Ewing. "I believe low voter turnout is directly tied to negative attacks on those running for office. While attack ads may yield some temporary results for a candidate, in the long run I think everybody agrees that they are not good for our political system or our state." Ewing suggested that several organizations could form a group to draft a pledge. Such a group could include representatives of nonpartisan organizations like the Public Affairs Research Council, Council for a Better Louisiana, the Louisiana Press Association, Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, and the Louisiana State Bar Association. The pledge should address the issue of third-party attack advertising as well, Ewing said. "We have an opportunity in this campaign to show the rest of the nation that Louisiana is ready to move forward. We've been tainted too long with a reputation of raucous politics and government. By conducting campaigns that focus on issues and stay away from mud slinging, we can demonstrate that Louisiana is leaving behind that legacy. Louisiana is a proud state blessed with many good and talented people. Our campaigns and government should be worthy of our people and appeal to the best that is in all of us." Ewing, who retired as president of the Louisiana Senate after 12 years of service in the upper chamber, formally announced his candidacy for governor in June. Ewing said he will base his campaign on various issues, including policies to attract quality jobs and strengthening Louisiana's commitment to education. A small businessman, Ewing and his family own a timber company and part of a community bank. He lives in Quitman in Jackson Parish. |