It's hard not to think of the comparisons.
Donald Trump. John Raymond.
One faces civil and criminal charges for crimes against society. One faces charges for crimes against children.
Both are running for public office.
John Raymond
Though former President Donald Trump faces hush money, election interference, mishandling classified documents and overturning election charges, a large chunk of the Republican Party continues to support him in his third presidential bid.
Along with 18 others, Trump and group are facing 41 criminal charges that won't go away even if he is reelected to the nation's top job.
Louisiana is one of the reddest states in the nation, so it's no surprise that Trump gets 65% to 75% support among Republicans in a couple of recent polls.
Apparently that Teflon-like popularity has some Louisiana Republicans thinking the same concepts apply to any Republican running for public office.
Otherwise, why would the official Republican Party of Louisiana endorse John Raymond in his bid for the 104th District seat in the state House of Representatives? In April 2022, Raymond, then headmaster of Lakeside Christian Academy in Slidell, was arrested and accused of punishing three 13-year-old boys by covering their mouths with packing tape. Just one month later, Raymond was arrested for allegedly covering the mouth and nose of a 4-year-old, dragging the child by the ankles and holding him upside down while beating his buttocks. At least one incident happened a few years ago.
Political parties tend to go with those they know best when looking at candidates running for the same office. But they sometimes officially stay out of the endorsement game to give the appearance of neutrality.
The Louisiana GOP knows Raymond. He's a part of the Republican State Central Committee, sitting on the credentials committee. For a moment, pause and consider that with these circumstances. He's on the St. Tammany Parish Republican Executive Committee. Raymond pastors New Horizon Church in Slidell. He's said that using tape with the children "isn't a crime." In December, he pled not guilty to three counts of cruelty to juveniles and one count of second-degree cruelty to juveniles.
It's not as though Republicans don't have another choice. Businessman and former U.S. Marine Jay Gallé is running as a Republican, too. He self-identifies as a conservative Republican, engaged with traditional Republican values. He cites "character" as one of his best attributes.
State Rep. Paul Hollis represents the 104th, including Abita Springs, Lacombe and Mandeville. He's term-limited, so he's running a campaign for a different role.
Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich and the state party are on a roll this year, endorsing candidates like GOP gubernatorial contender Jeff Landry even before some important Republicans had announced whether they would run. Now they're endorsing a guy who, if he thinks about this, probably shouldn't run at this time.
If and when he's cleared of the charges, he can consider his options for elective office then.
Republican Attorney General candidate John Stefanski wants his party to rescind the endorsement. Covington State Rep. Mark Wright agrees, calling the move "crazy."
Crazy, indeed.
This is an instance where we should hear from prominent Republicans running for office, especially those running for statewide office. Whether they decide to say something this weekend or next week, we should hear them say why it's OK for Raymond to run or why he should not.
We can be sure Trump won't step away from his presidential candidacy without being forced, mostly because he's the type of guy who could care less about what others think.
As for Raymond, let's see what kind of guy he is.
Will he do the right thing and step aside?
