"Duck Dynasty" Relative Wants to Keep Campaign About 'Ideas' - East Idaho News
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“Duck Dynasty” Relative Wants to Keep Campaign About ‘Ideas’

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GETTY 7114 VotePin?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1404239785215Stockbyte/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Call it a primary season plot twist for the Duck Dynasty clan.

Although he’s now running against the “kissing Congressman” for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat, Duck Dynasty relative Zach Dasher wants to keep his GOP primary campaign about “ideas, and not people.”

“This race is not about personality,” Dasher said. “We need to be discussing ideas, and not people.”

Rep. Vance McAllister, who became known as the “kissing Congressman” after leaked video footage from his district office showed his kissing a married staffer, said in April that he would not seek re-election.

But the incumbent reversed that decision on Monday, setting up a showdown between the freshman lawmaker, who was endorsed by Duck Dynasty stars Phil and Willie Robertson in his 2013 race, and Dasher, a 36-year-old businessman whose mother is Phil Robertson’s sister.

While McAllister has been criticized by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal for his change of heart, Dasher said the decision to run is “between Vance and his family,” and “not for me to decide.”

“What someone does in terms of moral lapses; that’s between them, God and their family,” he said.

“Every citizen has a right to voice their opinion about [McAllister], including Governor Jindal,” Dasher added. “If we get caught up with all of this, we detract from the larger point, which is a federal government which is out of control.”

The big question remaining in the district that’s home to Duck Dynasty is whom members of Monroe, Louisiana’s first family will support.

According to Dasher, nothing has changed since he first told ABC News he expects “110 percent” support from his relatives.

“I’ve spoken with all of them, they’re going to be on the trail with me,” Dasher said. “Since they’re behind me 110 percent, there’s no support left for anyone else.”

Dasher told ABC News in June that McAllister’s initial decision had “piqued” his interest in what was then an open seat.

Dasher and the handful of others who have announced bids for McAllister’s seat now face a tougher race with the congressman back in the ring: In 2012, roughly 90 percent of House incumbents won re-election.


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