Conserve trois sièges sur quatre. It is the mission of Françoise Dumont, only LR Var senator candidate for re-election. Quite a challenge, given the change in the political landscape since the previous senatorial elections, six years ago. In the last municipal elections, the right left the National Rally and its UDR allies with large cities like Six-Fours, La Valette and especially La Seyne, in addition to Fréjus already acquired since 2014. That is to say a large pool of major voters, who will take part in this indirect election on the 27th. September. “The match will be played with the RN”summarizes the one who was named head of the list by the national Republican nomination commission, this Tuesday afternoon. A formality. In mid-May, Françoise Dumont had already had the green light from Gérard Larcher and his senatorial majority.
“Je n’ai pas hésité une seconde à rempiler ”assures the elected representative from Var, who highlights her results to the new elected officials she meets on the ground. And in particular his fight against the removal of aid dedicated to revitalization (FRR) in thirteen municipalities in Haut-Var, synonymous with exemptions for doctors and certain businesses. “I feed off the land”adds Françoise Dumontwho advanced files with the various ministers on mobility in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, housing in Flayosc, and even the future prison in Muy. Also on his CV, his role as rapporteur of the Civil Security budget as well as the presidency of the working group dedicated to this theme, with a list of recommendations to face the challenges to come.
Christian Simon to strengthen the game
If he had denied any senatorial ambition until now, the mayor of Crau Christian Simon will be there.
Photo Camille Dodet
In 2020, Françoise Dumont started in second position behind Michel Bonnus. It will be without him this time. An unsuccessful candidate for the Toulon municipal elections, he has made it known that he will henceforth prioritize his health and his fight against cancer. Jean Bacci did not wish to extend either. “I would like to warmly thank them for their political commitmentâ€indicates Jean-Louis Masson, LR departmental delegate and president of the Department, who participated in the development of a remodeled team. With in particular Christian Simon, eligible. If the mayor of La Crau had assured during the municipal elections that he would not run for a senator’s seat, he finally allowed himself to be convinced of the interest for the city of having an elected official at the Luxembourg Palace. “He has a keen knowledge of communitiesâ€underlines Françoise Dumont.
The mayor of Lorgues, Claude Alemagna, will inherit a symbolic fourth place. Followed by two substitutes: departmental councilor Laétitia Quilici and the mayor of Rians Nicolas Brémond. There remains the third, still not assigned. Lack of contenders to complete a gender-balanced casting, as the competition suggests? “Many would have said no”advances a local election. “We have a choice to make between several different profiles. It’s a matter of days.” sweeps away the parliamentarian, who would have seen at her side Fabienne Joly, the former president of the Var Chamber of Agriculture, who died last summer.
The dissident candidacy of Marc Lauriol
In addition to Frank Giletti, RN deputy and now senatorial opponent, Françoise Dumont will have another competitor to face: departmental councilor Marc Lauriolwho surrendered his LR card last week to put together a list independent of any party. “For me, politics is a collective adventure and not a personal one, regrets the senator, who was warned by other elected officials of this dissident candidacy. To be strong in the Senate, to obtain speaking time in the chamber, to be placed in committees and information missions, you must be part of a strong group. Choosing an independent group means having less say.”
Next step? The implementation of a battle plan, with meetings in the different territories to convince as many major voters as possible, particularly those from large intercommunal communities. Like in Toulon, where the reservoir of votes will be much more contested than in the past. “I am a woman of heart, deeply human, précise Françoise Dumont, on whom the election is based. And then, I like campaigning. Besides, I’m in the countryside all year round.”
