Louisiana Rep. Charlie Melancon (D) announced Thursday morning that he will challenge Sen. David Vitter (R) in 2010, setting up a key Senate showdown in the Bayou State.
While local media had reported that Melancon made a final decision on the Senate race in June, Melancon delivered his official announcement in a video e-mailed to supporters.
Im announcing my candidacy for the U.S. Senate to replace David Vitter because Louisiana deserves better, Melancon said. Louisiana needs a different approach. More bipartisan. More disciplined. More honest and with a whole lot more common sense.
Melancon is considered by many analysts to be the Democrats best chance of knocking off Vitter in a state that has trended more Republican in recent years. Vitters vulnerability in the state is tied solely to his connection to the D.C. Madam prostitution scandal in 2007, and state Democrats have been working hard to keep Vitters involvement in that scandal fresh in voters minds.
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