The Teche Area, Acadiana and all of Louisiana officially have a race for United States Senate.

With all apologies to former porn star Stormy Daniels, Thursday’s announcement by U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville, that he will run for Senate against incumbent U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Metairie, signals the beginning of the Senate campaign season.

Vitter, our state’s junior senator, seemed ripe for a challenge midway through his first Senate term when news broke that his phone number was among the records of a Washington prostitution ring.

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Vitter retreated to relative political obscurity after admitting publicly only to an unspecified “serious sin.” He never answered questions about the scandal and has denied other allegations of involvement with prostitutes, the Associated Press reports.

However, Vitter has been a vocal opponent of President Barack Obama’s seven-month-old presidential term, and he is seen by many in the state as a leading voice against health care reform.

Melancon immediately faces an uphill battle in Louisiana because of growing conservative resentment toward health care reform. The three-term Democrat can point to his record, which shows he voted against the Democrat-backed health care reform plan in a House committee.

Touting himself as an anti-abortion, pro-gun centrist Democrat, Melancon said in his written announcement he is running against Vitter because Louisiana needs a more bipartisan approach in the Senate.

Both Melancon and Vitter have been in Washington for about the same number of years and both boast stints in the Louisiana Legislature.

On the outside, they seem to come from somewhat equal footing. It should make for interesting Louisiana politics.

STEPHEN HEMELT

CITY EDITOR