By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – Louisiana Sen. A.G. Crowe announced on Tuesday afternoon in front of the Louisiana Legislature that he is ending his 16 year-political career, opting not to run for re-election this fall in the District 1 race.
Crowe served for eight years from 2000 to 2008 as a Louisiana representative before winning the District 1 Louisiana Senate seat in 2008. He had served two terms in the Senate and was expected to run again in the Oct. 24 primary.
However, Crowe said on Tuesday that he believes his work is finished as a state public servant after he successfully led the way for approval of the Louisiana International Gulf Transfer Terminal (LIGTT) that should begin construction later this year off the southernmost point of the state. The terminal is projected to bring over 34,000 jobs to Louisiana.
Additionally, Crowe is the founder and owner of The File Depot, a local business he began 15 years ago that has grown to a national scale, and is now franchising more locations. At last count, Crowe said there are over 50 File Depots on the verge of operating, with over 100 more in line to open around the world.
“I was never in this to make it a political career and at this point I feel I have achieved what I set out to do by creating the largest economic development project in the history of Louisiana,” he said. “I was focused on finding a great job-creation vehicle for the state and LIGTT is going to do that, so I think I have done what I set out to do.”
Crowe has been asked by some business leaders in the area to consider a run for the Louisiana governor’s seat, but said “at this time that is not what I believe I am supposed to do next.”
“I have to check with the ‘boss’ to see what is next for me, and that does not mean my wife,” Crowe said with a laugh, indicating he is a Christian man who prays to God for guidance. “But at this point I do not believe God is leading me to run for governor, although I’m humbled that some people would think I should.”
With Crowe stepping out of the political spotlight it leaves a wide-open race to fill his seat.
Sharon Hewitt, a Slidell resident who is vice-chairman of the St. Tammany Parish GOP, announced in March she was ready to challenge Crowe for his seat, and she will now be joined by former Louisiana Rep. Pete Schneider, who confirmed on Tuesday he will seek the seat vacated by Crowe.
““It’s time for solutions, not politics,” Hewitt said in a statement on her web site. “People are tired of career politicians. As an engineer, I am a problem solver. It’s time to stop the political games and get to work. Throughout my life, I’ve earned leadership roles where my passion, organizational skill, collaboration with stakeholders and ability to inspire others has helped solve problems. I will use my skills and abilities to help the people of this district.”
Hewitt was recently in the news as chairwoman for St. Tammany Recreation District #16, which put together a proposal for voters that would have created Camellia Park in Slidell. The plan was to build a $21 million sports complex in the area, but it needed two new millages passed to build it and maintain it, both of which were defeated by a large margin several months ago at the polls.
Hewitt earned an engineering degree from LSU and worked for Shell, managing a $250 million budget and more than 160 employees before retiring to work with non-profits and volunteer groups on the North Shore. During her years with Shell, she was involved in the first submersible pump being installed in the Gulf of Mexico, which led to the development of new, patented technologies in the industry.
Schneider has been out of politics since 2008 when he ended 16 years as a Louisiana representative. Schneider ran for the District 11 Senate seat in 2007 since he was term limited out of the House, but lost to Jack Donahue and hasn’t re-entered politics since then due to operating St. Joe Brick Works as president and general manager of the fourth generation business in Slidell.
“I strongly believe in a life of service, to my family, to my fellow citizens, and to the economic stability and safety of our region,” Schneider said. “I feel confident our business is in good hands with the next generation and I am ready to serve my fellow citizens in the Louisiana Senate.”
Schneider gained national attention as a state representative when he authored a bill that became known as the “Scarlet Letter Law,” which required convicted child molesters to notify the community once they were released from prison.
He also worked to pass legislation to give juries the option to issue the death penalty to a person convicted of raping a child under the age of 12 and he worked for passage of the “three strikes and you’re out” law which authorizes life imprisonment for habitual felons after conviction of their third violent crime.