Rep. Vance McAllister (R-La.), who initially said he would not run for re-election after he was caught on video kissing a female staffer, said Monday that he had changed his mind and would seek re-election.
Ahead of a "special press conference" to announce his decision, McAllister told The News-Star that he trusted the 5th District's voters to decide whether they wanted him back in Congress.
“I wanted to make sure everything was good with our family,” McAllister said. “Our family is stronger than ever, so I think the people should decide whether or not I continue to represent them.”
In April, a video from last December was leaked showing McAllister kissing a married staffer, who resigned after the video emerged. McAllister said he would serve out the remainder of his term but not seek re-election, but then hedged his bets by saying he still reserved the opportunity to run again.
On Monday, his wife said she was "behind him 100 percent."
McAllister told The News-Star that he wouldn't continue addressing the scandal during his re-election campaign.
“I’ve publicly apologized to the people in the 5th District and more importantly worked through it with my family,” he said, according to the paper. “I’ve said all I’m going to say about it. Now it’s up to the voters.”
Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere, Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) had all called for McAllister to resign after the scandal broke.
In November, McAllister will face a crowded Republican field, including Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson's nephew Zach Dasher.
If no candidate gets 50 percent of the vote in November, the top two vote-getters would advance to a Dec. 6 runoff.
Before You Go
