Now we know.

Caroline Fayard, who lost a close race for lieutenant governor to Jay Dardenne last year, is now eyeing his old job as secretary of state. Fayard, a Democrat who grew up in Denham Springs, announced today she is organizing a campaign for secretary of state this fall and will make a formal announcement in the near future. Fayard, one of the few bright spots on a thin Louisiana Democrat bench, had been mentioned as a potential candidate for several offices this fall, including governor. In a statement, she says the secretary of state’s office was the best fit. “I want to be in a position to be of genuine help to the people and small businesses of Louisiana. I want to make a difference,” Fayard says. “We need new leaders with new ideas in Baton Rouge.” Tom Schedler, who took over as secretary of state after Dardenne’s election, has said he plans to run for the seat this fall. Schedler is a Republican who was a state senator from Slidell before joining the secretary of state’s office. Rep. Walker Hines, R-New Orleans, also says he plans to run for secretary of state.

Scott Angelle is also rumored to be looking at this one.

It should be remembered that the Secretary of State is the person entrusted with the voter rolls. Secretaries of State in other places – like Minnesota, for example – have done a fantastic job of ACORNing elections and allowing Democrats to win amazingly close races on recanvasses and recounts.

I can’t think of a worse place to put Caroline Fayard and her corrupt campaign finance practices. But I’m just one voter. Others will have to decide this one for themselves.