Rep. Vance McAllister (R-LA), the congressman who was caught in April on tape kissing a female staffer who was not his wife, said Monday that he will “absolutely” run for re-election, moving forward a previous statement he made where he said he might not retire from Congress.
McAllister said he would “absolutely” run for re-election in an interview on the Moon Griffin radio show on Monday.
“We spent the weekend trying to make sure this was exactly right for us and the family. It’s taken a lot of hard praying,” McAllister said. “A lot of making sure that we’re ready to put ourselves out there because —look we know what it is. Welcome to politics 101. I got welcomed in like no other.”
McAllister is the congressman who was taped kissing a staffer that was not his wife. After the tape leaked he said he would not seek re-election.
When he began hinting that he might not retire from Congress McAllister said there was “overwhelming support asking me to reconsider.”
McAllister’s office later on Monday released a formal statement on his announcement:
Today, after consulting with my wife and family, I have made a decision to run for re-election for the 5th Congressional District. Without a doubt this decision comes after much thought and prayer. 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. I plan to continue to stand up for our veterans, bring common sense solutions to our nation’s problems and most importantly I will fight to get our fiscal house back in order.
This post has been updated.