Will Congressman Vance McAllister Run Again or Not?

Congressman Vance McAllister (R-Swartz) is still mulling over his political future. On Monday, he emphasized that he does not intend to run for re-election this year. But he didn't rule it out completely, either.

“I can tell you my intent is not to run for re-election," McAllister said. “To say I’m 100 percent sure, I would never box myself in like that.”

McAllister won the seat in a special election last year to fill the seat vacated by Rodney Alexander. He has been under the spotlight since a surveillance video of himkissing a married member of his staff was posted. Earlier this month, he announced that he would not run for re-election.

But Monday, he sounded more like a potential candidate when speaking to at a Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

“I’ve said all along, it will be the people’s choice what I do in the future, as long as it’s right for my family,” McAllister said. “I have a whole new respect for public service, both good and bad, and I have to say the good outweighs the bad. It’s up to the voters to forgive me in any race in the future.”

“I’m behind him 100 percent in whatever decision he makes, and I’ll continue to be behind him,” wife Kelly McAllister said.

The primary election for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District is Nov. 4. McAllister did sound open to running for public office sometime in the future, even if he does not seek re-election to the congressional seat.