La. GOP aims at members backing Dems

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Louisiana Republicans say they are considering disciplinary measures for GOP officeholders who endorse Democrats in elections.

The situation has reached a crisis point for the state's Republican Party because more than two dozen local GOP officials have endorsed Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu over the Republican nominee, state Treasurer John Kennedy, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported Monday.

GOP officeholders endorsing Landrieu "sends the message that we are not united," Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Villere told the newspaper. "It confuses the Republican message … We are not looking to punish people, but we don't want this to develop into a trend."

Villere did not say what type of discipline is being considered.

Eight Republican officeholders in Jefferson, St. Tammany, Plaquemines, St. John the Baptist and Lafourche parishes have announced support for Landrieu in the Nov. 4 general election, the newspaper said, while GOP St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain has appeared in a TV ad for Landrieu.