Duke says he probably will not run for Congress

[Freddie Stubbs]

By CAIN BURDEAU
The Associated Press
2/12/2004, 1:04 a.m. CT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Imprisoned former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke says he is leaning against running for Congress in November after he gets out of prison.

"I'm going to say that I'm probably not going to run," Duke said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press from prison in Texas. "I have not made any final decision, but I've gotten lots of really fine letters suggesting that I do run because they are so disappointed by the way the Republican Party is going."

Duke has shown an interest in the U.S. House seat now held by Rep. David Vitter, R-Metairie. In 1999, Duke finished third in the primary for that same seat.

The district includes Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes, conservative suburban areas of New Orleans. Vitter has said he is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by John Breaux, a Democrat.

more: http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?/base/news-7/107656974128070.xml