Politics

Democrats want Jimmy Buffett’s sister to run for Congress

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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Democrats are reportedly wishing the sister of musician Jimmy Buffett would run for Congress in a coastal Alabama district.

Citing a Democratic party source, the Mobile Press-Register reported that Gulf Shores, Ala. restaurant owner Lucy “LuLu” Buffett is being mentioned as possible Democrat to run in the heavily-Republican district.

The Buffetts are from Mobile. Lucy Buffett is well-known in the area for her eponymous beach restaurant, LuLu’s. She was a 2012 delegate to the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina.

Asked by The Daily Caller on Monday through Twitter if she’s planning to run, Buffett responded: “Haha. Not today. But the thought makes me smile!”

Alabama’s first congressional district seat is about to open up with Republican Rep. Jo Bonner announcing last week he is resigning this summer to take a new job with the University of Alabama system.

Dozens of Republicans have expressed interest in running for the seat, among them the veteran conservative journalist Quin Hillyer, who announced his bid for the seat last week. (Related: Conservative columnist jumping into Alabama congressional race)

Democrats, according to the paper, are looking for someone with star power to make a challenge. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin , who is from the district, is also being mentioned as a potential candidate.

Buffett’s waterfront restaurant has become a fixture in Gulf Shores. Her brother Jimmy Buffett is best known as a purveyor of superannuated beach bum anthems like “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” as well as an author of popular novels. He had a cameo in the punk science fiction classic “Repo Man.”

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