Family feud: Morris challenges fellow lawmaker Fannin for Senate seat

Republican Rep. Jay Morris, in a surprise mid-summer pivot, will challenge fellow Republican lawmaker Sen. Jim Fannin for the Senate District 35 seat covering parts of northern and central Louisiana.

Morris, of Monroe, had previously planned to seek re-election for his House District 14 seat before changing direction after the Legislative Session ended earlier this month.

Republican Calhoun businessman Matt Parker has also announced for the Senate race.

"I want to continue to fight for small business and against corruption and wasteful spending and I think I can have a bigger impact doing those things in the Senate," said Morris, who has spent two terms in the House.

Fannin, of Jonesboro, served three terms in the House as chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee before winning the Senate seat four years ago.

USA Today is seeking comment from Fannin.

The sprawling Senate District 35 covers parts of six northeastern, north central and central Louisiana Parishes including Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, Ouachita, Rapides and Winn.

Morris came into the House and quickly associated with a group of lawmakers calling themselves the "fiscal hawks."

"We wanted to examine all aspects of government spending to determine where there was waste, and I'm proud of the work and the reforms we were able to secure," Morris said.

But Morris often found his bills blocked in the Senate, which he admitted caused frustration and cited as one of his motivations for seeking a Senate seat.

"I think I can expand on the work I've done in the House in the Senate," he said.

Morris served with Fannin in the House and the two are members of the same regional delegation.

"I consider Jim a friend but I feel like we need an accessible, active candidate for Senate District 35," Morris said.

Morris' exit from his House seat appears to leave a wide open road to the House for Republican Monroe City Councilman Michael Echols, who previously announced he would challenge Morris for the House District 14 seat.

House District 14 covers parts of Ouachita and Morehouse parishes.

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