Sen. Landrieu touts Republican supporter in new campaign ad

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) has released a new campaign ad that touts the support of a Republican in her state.

The 30-second ad is narrated by Boysie Bollinger, a ship builder in Lockport, La., and notes Landrieu’s influential position as chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. 

{mosads}”I have over 3,000 employees, and even though I’m a Republican and don’t always agree with her, Louisiana can’t afford to lose Mary Landrieu,” Bollinger says through a Louisiana accent. “She’s chairman of the Energy Committee, the most powerful position a person can have for Louisiana.”

“It means more boats, more jobs, and more oil and gas,” Bollinger said.

Landrieu is facing a tough reelection race this year in Louisiana, making her one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the country.

She took over the chairmanship earlier this year, and has vowed to pursue an agenda far different than that of her predecessor, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). 

The pro-fossil-fuels senator is bent on pushing forward legislation that will help Louisiana, and other coastal states, receive revenue from increased offshore development of oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico.

Landrieu’s first ad touting her new post came under fire after it was revealed that she used footage of speaking at a staged Senate hearing.

Her campaign said they needed to recreate the remarks because Senate ethics rules bar senators from using footage of hearings for campaign ads.