BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Republican U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister announced Monday that he’s changed his mind and intends to run for re-election despite the scandal caused by a video showing him kissing a married female aide.
In April, the freshman congressman said he wouldn’t seek another term. But two months later, McAllister has reversed course and said he will be on the Nov. 4 ballot as a candidate for Louisiana’s 5th District.
“Without a doubt this decision comes after much thought and prayer,” McAllister said in a statement. “This district has been home to me and my family all of my life. I know the needs of this congressional district very well. I also know that this district needs a strong, conservative voice in Congress.”
The married congressman, who ran on a platform of faith and family, apologized for a “personal failure” after the security tape showed him kissing an aide in his congressional office. She later resigned.
GOP leaders, including Gov. Bobby Jindal, pushed for McAllister to step down from Congress, but he refused. They called his behavior embarrassing and hypocritical.