'Duck Dynasty' star called on by GOP to run for open Louisiana Congress seat: report

Yahoo News
This undated photo provided by A&E, shows Willie Robertson, star of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty,” at his desk in his office at the Duck Commander warehouse in West Monroe, La. Turning small business owners into stars has become a winning formula for television producers, but some businesses featured in them are cashing in, too. Sales explode after just a few episodes air, transforming these nearly unknown small businesses into household names. In addition to earning a salary from starring in the shows, some small business owners are benefiting financially from opening gift shops that sell souvenirs or getting involved in other ventures that spawn from their new-found fame. (AP Photo/A&E)

From duck calls to ... roll calls?

A "Duck Dynasty" star is apparently being eyed by Republican lawmakers in Louisiana as a possible congressional candidate.

According to the Washington Examiner, some "key" GOP operatives are hoping to woo Willie Robertson — CEO of the West Monroe, La.-based game call and hunting companies Duck Commander and Buck Commander and one of the stars of the A&E reality series — to run for the 5th District seat currently held by Rodney Alexander, a Republican who plans to leave at the end of September for a post in Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's cabinet.

"My boys want to run Willie Robertson for the seat," a "key outside adviser to House GOP leadership" told the newspaper.

There's no indication, however, that Robertson, a 41-year-old self-described "redneck millionaire," is interested in public office.

But even if he was, there's no guarantee he'd make a good candidate. For every successful celebrity-turned-politician (Sen. Al Franken, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, President Ronald Reagan) there's an ill-conceived, or at least ill-timed, bid for public office, as was the case recently with Ashley Judd, who was reportedly considering a run for Senate in Kentucky.

"Duck Dynasty," which follows Robertson's family business, drew 9.6 million viewers for its third season finale in April and was the highest-rated telecast in A&E history. Its fourth season begins on Wednesday.