The Hill reports that “former Rep. John Cooksey (R-La.) is in the process of putting together a primary challenge to Sen. David Vitter in 2010, according to a prominent Louisiana political website.”
BayouBuzz.com reported Friday that Cooksey’s backers have arranged a drafting movement to encourage him to get in.
The site quotes an anonymous Cooksey adviser saying that the Monroe ophthalmologist is prepared to enter the race and spend $200,000 of his own money, provided the support is there for challenge to Vitter.
Cooksey represented the state’s 5th district for three terms between 1997 and 2003. He ran against Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) in 2002, taking 14 percent in an open, multi-party primary field that included Landrieu and two prominent Republicans besides Cooksey.
Other possible Republican challengers:
Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and another 2002 candidate, Family Research Council head Tony Perkins, have also been mentioned as possible GOP opponents.
Update (3/15): Mr. Perkins will not challenge Senator Vitter, per The Hill.
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