Blanco won't seek re-election *** Governor hopes to check politics

BYLINE: MICHELLE MILLHOLLON; CAPITOL NEWS BUREAU

Gov. Kathleen Blanco said Tuesday that she won't seek re-election but will spend the rest of her term helping Louisiana recover from two hurricanes that devastated much of the state and plagued her administration.

Blanco said removing herself from the race for governor will lessen the partisan politics that she fought from her Legislature to the White House and derailed much of her program.

"While so many still suffer, I am choosing to do what I believe is best for my state. I will focus my time and energy for the next nine months on the people's work, not politics," said Blanco, a Democrat.

She will leave her job as the head of state government on Jan. 14, 2008. The election is Oct. 20.

"I am announcing my decision early ... so we can work without interference from election year politics," Blanco said.

But Republican leaders Sen. Tom Schedler and Rep. Jim Tucker said the move instantly turned Blanco into a lame duck.

They urged the governor to minimize the number of recurring expenses she plans to push in her record budget proposal.

"A new governor should not be hamstrung with unrealistic commitments of the past," the GOP leaders said in statement.

The timing of her departure - a month before legislators convene at the State Capitol to consider her $29.2 billion spending plan - caught even relatives by surprise.

Blanco's eldest daughter, Karmen, said she didn't know what her mother was contemplating until late Monday.

"Happy day!" Karmen Blanco exclaimed on the porch of the Governor's Mansion after her mother's announcement.

Karmen Blanco said she had prayed but not pushed for her mother to bow out of the race.

"It was her decision. All of her decisions are, in government and in her personal life," she said.

Blanco's close aides said they don't know of any single event that triggered the decision.

Blanco broke the news to her staff and supporters shortly before broadcasting her decision on television across the state.

She described entering office during a time of optimism and hope, only to see catastrophe strike with hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and vicious politics unfold in their aftermath.

Family and friends crowded into the foyer of the Governor's Mansion for her statement. Staff spilled out of the dining room. Afterward, they ate gumbo while the governor shook hands and accepted hugs. Her grandchildren darted in and out of the crowd.

Her legislative liaison, Hunt Downer, who once ran against her for governor, said her decision allows her agenda to move forward unfettered by her personal political aspirations.

"I think she came to peace with herself and her decision. ... It's a classy way to handle it," he said.

The governor's chief of staff and longtime friend, Jimmy Clarke, said Blanco made the decision after much of her trademark deliberation.

Blanco prioritized, he said, after partisanship politics caused the collapse of her last special session in December. Republican lawmakers blocked her plans to give pay raises, finance roads and cut some taxes with a record-high budget surplus.

She began to see that anything she tried to accomplish would be considered a campaign ploy, Clarke said.

"We've been working, operating in the most excruciating, negative environment for 18 months," he said.

Democratic House leader Eric LaFleur of Ville Platte said he hopes good policy will come before partisan politics in the session, which starts April 30.

"We will continue to support an agenda that focuses on advancing the needs of education, infrastructure and economic development," he said.

Blanco said she does not plan to coast through the rest of her term but wants to put Louisiana on the road to recovery.

"A shining future is within our reach," Blanco said.

Clarke said Blanco plans to:

Accelerate the Road Home housing program for storm victims.

Land a $2.9 billion German steel mill that Louisiana is competing for with Alabama.

Convince the Legislature to invest a record number of dollars in education.

One thing the governor is not focusing on for now is who will succeed her, he said.

The Republican frontrunner in the governor's race refused to speculate on how Blanco's departure will affect the race.

"This is the governor's day, not mine. Campaigning can wait. I wish the governor and her family well," said U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal of Kenner, who ran second to Blanco in the 2003 governor's race.

Former U.S. Sen. John Breaux, who is said to be considering running for governor, also had kind words for Blanco.

"I join other Louisianians in thanking Governor Blanco for her many years of public service to the people of our state, the last couple under extremely difficult circumstances," Breaux said in a statement.

Republican candidate Sen. Walter Boasso of Arabi wished Blanco well and then used her departure to call for an end to career politicians.

"What is important to realize and what the voters already know is that we cannot just change the face of the governor; we must change the policies of government," Boasso said.

Text of Gov. Kathleen Blanco's speech:

Good evening. I speak to you tonight not only as your governor, but as your fellow citizen. When we began our journey together three years ago, it was a time of optimism and hope. We embarked on sweeping reforms and improvements. These efforts were well under way when catastrophe struck our state.

Together, we faced two of the greatest disasters ever to strike this country. I will always remember the countless acts of courage from people all over Louisiana. Every day, I am moved by the strength and resolve of our people to rebuild our shattered state.

Since Katrina and Rita, I have devoted every waking hour to both the recovery and to making the entire state stronger.

Of course, there have been those who have attempted to exploit these tragedies for partisan gain. This is wrong.

In the upcoming session, I will ask legislators to adopt a bold and sweeping education agenda. Education is the key to transforming our future and developing our economy.

We must give our children the opportunities they deserve. I am proud to have positioned Louisiana to compete for significant new industry for the first time in our history. And we can win the big ones!

I have put forth a powerful agenda for consideration. While so many still suffer, I am choosing to do what I believe is best for my State. I will focus my time and energy for the next nine months on the people's work, not politics.

After much thought and prayer, I have decided that I will not seek re-election as your governor.

There is nothing more important to Louisiana's future than a strong recovery, free from politics.

I'm announcing my decision early - well before the legislative session. I'm doing this so we can work without interference from election year politics. Every action in my remaining months in office will be to serve Louisiana's best interest.

We have no time to look back. We must move forward boldly to bring new opportunities to Louisiana. Despite these terrible disasters, my eyes are firmly fixed on the future.

I'm proud to have set the bar high when it comes to economic development and education. We're growing a vibrant economy that is providing quality new jobs for our people. I will continue to work on these significant new initiatives.

I made my decision with the love and support of my family. I would like to thank my husband Raymond, our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren. Along with my mother and the rest of my family, they have stood with me, and with my Lord, they are my rock.

I thank my hardworking staff and Cabinet for their tireless dedication and honesty in serving the people.

To you my friends, across the State, I offer my heartfelt thanks for the honor of serving you. In the months ahead, I ask for your prayers and support as we unite to move our state forward. A shining future is within our reach.

Thank you and God Bless Louisiana.

What's happens next

Blanco did not resign. She will finish her term, which ends Jan. 14.

Blanco's last legislative session begins April 30.

Potential candidates for governor have months to make up their minds. They sign up Sept. 4-6.

The election to pick a new governor is Oct. 20. The runoff is Nov. 17.

The new governor takes office Jan. 14.