Buddy Roemer to Join GOP Field

Another contender is set to shake up the GOP field, and we won’t blame you if your reaction is "Who?" Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer will formally announce his candidacy on Thursday, Politico reports. "We’re ready to move forward," Roemer’s campaign director confirms. "He’s one of the first candidates to file his exploratory committee, and now we’re one of the last, if not the last, to make it official."

Roemer is most notable for switching parties—from Democrat to Republican—in 1991, halfway through his only term as governor. These days he’s a relative unknown, and his primary prospects look grim: He consistently polls below 1%, has been shut out of all the GOP’s TV debates, and has raised a mere $41,000—$10,000 of which he contributed himself. Still, he intends to move to New Hampshire soon to campaign full-time. (More Buddy Roemer stories.)