Watch CBS News

Former KKK Leader David Duke To Run for U.S. Senate In Louisiana

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke says he plans to run for U.S. Senate in Louisiana.
Duke's announcement came Friday on his website.

A registered Republican, he would be seeking an open seat vacated by Republican David Vitter.

Duke's announcement comes as Louisiana is grappling with deep racial tensions after the shooting death of a black man by white police officers and the killing of three law enforcement officers by a black man.

A white supremacist, Duke served one term as a state representative representing suburban New Orleans more than two decades ago. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1991 against Democrat Edwin Edwards.

Duke is a convicted felon, pleading guilty in 2002 to bilking his supporters and cheating on his taxes. He spent a year in federal prison.

*This is a developing story. Follow CBSDFW.com for updates.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.