Scotty Robinson accuses Luke Letlow campaign of trying to buy him out of Congress race

Fifth Congressional District candidate Scotty Robinson said supporters of opponent Luke Letlow have offered him money on several occasions to drop out of the race.

Robinson, a Republican and Ouachita Parish police juror, posted a Facebook video Tuesday making the accusation linking the offer to Letlow, a Republican from Start.

"I'm not for sale," Robinson said in the video. "This seat cannot be bought."

Letlow's campaign called the accusation "baseless and desperate."

"Our campaign holds ourselves to the highest standard and would never condone the details of (Robinson's) statement," said Scott Franklin, chairman of Letlow's campaign. "However, I do feel sorry for Mr. Robinson, as he has sunk a great deal of personal money into what appears to be a wildly unsuccessful bid for Congress.

"As the proud chairman of the Letlow campaign, I'll never apologize for running what has been the most successful fundraising campaign in district history."

In an interview with USA Today Network, Robinson said neither Letlow nor anyone officially working for Letlow's campaign made direct contact with him.

Incumbent Congressman Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, isn't seeking reelection after a self-imposed limit of three terms. Abraham supports Letlow, his former chief of staff.

Robinson said he was first approached to stay out of the race when Abraham was running for governor in 2019.

Robinson said he was approached by Ruston attorney Health Hattaway, a political operative who Robinson referred to as a "mutual friend" of his and Letlow's, during Abraham's unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign offering Robinson a job if Abraham won.

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Hattaway told USA Today Network Robinson's version is accurate.

Robinson said last week one of Letlow's supporters approached him and said: "What will it cost to get you out of the race?"

But Robinson declined to identify the person who made the offer.

"This disgusts me," Robinson said.

Letlow and state Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, are the only two candidates to have raised more than $100,000 from donors.

During the most recent Federal Elections Commission reports in July, Letlow had raised $572,609 with $502,006 cash on hand.

Harris was second in fundraising from donors with $118,500 and $117,732 cash on hand. Harris also made a $1,200 loan to his campaign.

Robinson had raised $139,810 with $88,000 of that of his own money loaned to the campaign. He had $36,000 cash on hand.

Others in the race include: Sandra "Candy" Christophe, D-Alexandria; Allen Guillory Sr., R-Opelousas; "Matt" Hasty, R-Pineville; Jesse P. Lagarde, D-Amite; Martin Lemelle Jr., D-Ruston; and Phillip Snowden, D-Monroe.

The 5th District is the largest geographic district in the state. It has Monroe and Alexandria as the population hubs, but dips into Acadiana to take in Opelousas and into the Florida parishes to take in Bogalusa.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.