2015’s Louisiana Governor's race with John Bel Edwards shows us that non front runners have a chance at winning the upcoming election. University of Louisiana at Monroe Political science professor Dr. Josh Stockley talks about the 2023 Louisiana Governor's race.
Stockley says, “The biggest story right now is the lack of competition.” The handful of candidates we have now is fewer in comparison to past years when the field was more competitive. There are currently six candidates running for the Governor of Louisiana with five of them being Republican and one being an Independent. Democrats currently have no declared candidates for the race, but the great public interest is East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore.
Stockley’s choice when choosing someone who could be competitive to Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is Louisiana’s 6th Congressional Representative Garret Graves. Stockley says, “Graves is well liked both inside and outside of Baton Rouge by all political parties which would make him a great candidate.”
U.S. Senator John Kennedy declining to run for Governor is bewildering, because of the two decades he has spent talking about his interest becoming the next Governor of Louisiana. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy and Majority Leader of the House of Representatives Steve Scalise have incentives to stay in their current positions.
The qualifying period for candidates is August 8 through 10. The Gubernatorial Primary election starts October 14, 2023.
(Interview Highlights)
On the attraction of the Governor’s seat
The Governor of Louisiana remains the most significant and influential person steering the state's policy direction. The role of the Governor is to solve day to day issues on topic such as: education, criminal justice reform, transportation, infrastructure, etc. Our U.S. Senators and congressmen roles are more financial in finding ways to bring more funding to Louisiana. Any elected officials should look to run for governor.
On declined candidacy
Senator John Kennedy declined candidacy after spending years expressing interest in the position. Senator Bill Cassidy and Majority Leader of the House of Representatives Steve Scalise both have major positions of power currently so they both have declined as well. Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana Billy Nungesser could have been competitive against current front runner Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. Nungesser is known to be a better listener and negotiator. There are many voters in the middle and Democratic side of Louisiana with no current candidate.
On possible competition
Louisiana’s 6th Congressional Representative Garret Graves is the best competition in this race right now, because he has the funding, an active organization, Washington D.C. connections, etc. Even with no name recognition he could occupy that middle group of voters with no representative thanks to him representing one of the largest metropolitan areas in the state. Most of the votes are in south Louisiana which would put Representative Graves in a good position and could appeal to Democrats since they currently have no representative candidate. Other state officials that are said to be able to compete are: Louisiana 1st District State Senator Sharon Hewitt, Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroder, and Louisiana 89th District Representative Richard Nelson.