Patel got no traction in crowded field.
Indian American rookie candidate for the US Senate, from Louisiana, Abhay Patel, has dropped out of the race and endorsed Rep. Charles Boustany (R-Lafayette), in the Nov. 8 primary.
A Republican from New Orleans, Patel called Bosutany “a man of integrity.”
“I have gotten to know Dr. Boustany over this campaign and know him as a man of integrity who has devoted his life to getting results,” Patel said in a statement.
Patel, a lawyer and former investment banker, was one of 24 hopefuls to jump in this summer in an effort to replace retiring Sen. David Vitter, R-La. While he didn’t have the name recognition of some of his competitors, he did raise more than $200,000 in donations, loaning himself another $102,500, campaign finance records show, reported the Times-Picayune.
Boustany spokesman Jack Pandol said Patel would be actively campaigning for Boustany on the way to Election Day.
“I’m committed to doing whatever they’d like me to do that can help the campaign be successful,” Patel said in a later interview.
Before joining the race, Patel worked for the New Orleans Business Alliance as its vice president for business development. With that experience and his law degree, he said he would hopes to advise Boustany on nominations to federal judgeships and campaign finances.
The Senate race has narrowed to five candidates with the finances, campaign structures and name recognition to claim one of two spots in the Dec. 10 runoff: Boustany, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, D-Elm Grove, New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard, D-New Orleans, Rep. John Fleming, R-Minden, and state Treasurer John Kennedy, R-Madisonville.
Patel’s name will still appear on the Nov. 8 ballot, however, because he withdrew past the July 29 deadline to be officially removed from the race.
WWL.com reported that political analyst Bernie Pinsonat isn’t surprised Patel withdrew, since he polled poorly.
“The guy just didn’t have any voters with him or he wouldn’t have got out. He spent some money but he’s got no traction. Nobody knows him across the state. So I think it’s smart for him to get out,” Pinsonat said.
“I guess you could say it’s good that Boustany got his endorsement, but he doesn’t have any really votes to bring to Boustany. Maybe just the image of him endorsing him might give Boustany a little attention,” Pinsonat said.