(WWL.com)
A major story in 2019 will be the governor's race. Democrat John Bel Edwards is up for re-election and there's two announced Republican challengers, Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it's unclear who will be Edwards' biggest challenge.
"Who is going to be the champion on the Republican side, Ralph Abraham or Eddie Rispone, or perhaps someone else entering the race, but it's definitely going to be dog fight until election day," said Cross. The gubernatorial primary is October 12th. Cross says the race will likely need the November 16th runoff and the winner that night will probably win by a slim margin. "Whoever runs for the Republicans has a strong chance at beating John Bel Edwards, but Edwards has good approval ratings at this point for a Democrat," said Cross. Cross says Edwards opponents will point to the state's economy as a reason why a change is needed in the governor's mansion. "Louisiana has had some numbers that are not so great lately in terms of people leaving the state, the oil industry is still down," said Cross.