BATON ROUGE — Chauna Banks is in the runoff for the District 63 State Representative position and actively campaigning for it but there’s a question if Congressman Garret Graves issued an endorsement for her.
This week, a mailer went out to many in District 63 where she is hoping to unseat current State Rep. Barbara Carpenter. The flyer shows a picture of democrat and longtime EBR councilwoman Chauna Banks with Congressman Garret Graves endorsing her through a quote.
“Chauna Banks is a tireless fighter for our community,” reads the flyer. “Her record as a longtime public servant and educator has proven that she brings the tenacity to deliver the resources and accountability needed to improve the quality of life for citizens. I can tell you that Chauna is precisely the kind of leader District 63 residents need to give voice to their concerns in our state capitol.”
Graves however issued a statement Friday, Nov. 3, contradicting the endorsement saying he knew nothing about the mailer, quote or the alleged endorsement and added he has not endorsed Banks.
“Campaign literature is circulating in a state legislative race claiming that we have endorsed a specific candidate in this race. We have not endorsed or approved the use of any quotes in legislative races. Further we have not expressed a preferences in any legislative race this year – and instead we’re focused on the all-consuming business of representing south Louisiana in the U.S. Congress,” Graves said in his statement.
UWK reached out to Banks for a response but she has not responded as of this report. Nowhere on the mailed out campaign flyer does it read that it was paid for or approved by Banks.
Her social media page also does not have the Graves and Banks endorsement flyer posted.
During the primaries on Oct. 14, 2023, Carpenter garnered 41% of the vote while Banks received 33%. Republican Christopher Lemoine was defeated with 26%.
The runoff is scheduled for Nov. 18, 2023. Early voting begins Nov. 3 and runs through Nov. 11.
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