Ruston businessman declares for Shadoin's former House seat
Chris Turner, a small business owner in Ruston, said he will run for the Louisiana House District 12 seat that encompasses Lincoln and Union parishes.
Turner, a Republican, is seeking the seat previously held by former state Rep. Rob Shadoin, R-Ruston.
A special election has been set Feb. 23.
"I love Louisiana, I love this district and I’m ready to take a stand," Turner said in a statement. "I’m 110 percent committed to winning this race."
Ayres Bradford, a Ruston Republican who had previously announced he would run for the seat, told USA Today Network Monday he has pulled out of the race. Bradford said he reversed course after considering the time commitment required to serve and the impact it could have on his career and family.
Shadoin, an attorney, gave up his seat this fall to serve as deputy counsel in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries under Secretary Jack Montoucet. Shadoin, who is in the third year of his second term, was considered one of the more moderate Republicans in the House and was a consistent ally of Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.
Turner, who was a previous store director for Super One in Ruston, now owns a pharmacy in the city. He and his wife Nancy have four children.
Turner also announced his campaign team, which includes political consultant Lionel Rainey III of LR3 Consulting and fundraiser Allee Bautsch Grunewald of The Bautsch Group.
"The challenges Louisiana faces requires leadership from a commonsense conservative," Turner said. "That’s why I'm running. I'm committed to reducing taxes on families and small businesses and working improving our state for the generations to come.”