The race for the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion officially starts today with candidates heading to the Secretary of State’s office to file their paperwork for qualifying.
University of Louisiana Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Governor John Bel Edwards heads into the race as the odds on favorite to win, however, he still faces obstacles.
“We shouldn’t overstate that it is a deep red state and he is a Democrat, there are a lot of people who would like to see him gone.”
Cross adds the limited polling available shows Edwards’ support in the mid to low 40s at the moment, a dangerously low level for a politician seeking reelection.
Edwards’ top polling opponent, Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham, doesn’t have much money heading into campaign season.
Cross says , “He’s better known, he’s been endorsed by most Republicans around the state, and getting a lot of free media just acting as a Congressman.”
Cross says he expects Abraham’s cash problems to disappear as outside PACs join the race on his side.
The other Republican in the race is not worried about money.
Baton Rouge construction magnate Eddie Rispone has self-funded his campaign to the tune of ten million dollars.
Cross says his biggest issue is name recognition, but he’s making up for it with his recent statewide ad campaign.
“Eddie Rispone is starting to spend that big fat bank account that he has been sitting on. He loaned his own campaign about ten million dollars, and as the money rolls out Rispone will likely be better known.”
We will wait to see if there are any surprises over the next three days of qualifying.
