Qualifying starts this morning for the October 14th primary and LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford said he isn’t expecting any surprises when it comes to the governor’s race. He said it looks like all seven of the major players will qualify, and that being said he believes it will leave pollsters and consultants perplexed when predicting voter turnout.
“Because as the top of the ballot goes, so goes the rest of the ticket,” said Alford.
But as in the past, Alford said there could be a candidate waiting in the wings to qualify at the last minute and if so, it would add some early drama to election coverage.
Alford believes any surprises will be among the legislative races. He expects several incumbents will find themselves challenged by substantial candidates.
“Members of the community, businessmen and women who are looking to challenge the status quo that might be one of the big themes of this coming year,” said Alford.
If all seven formidable candidates do officially jump in the governor’s race, recent polls indicate it will most likely come down to a run-off between Republican Jeff Landry and Democrat Shawn Wilson. But Alford said those predictions could change.
“The election is not being held today, it’s going to be held in a few months, and that’s a lifetime in politics so we’ll have to exactly how physical, and by physical, I mean dirty this election is going to get,” said Alford.
Qualifying begins this morning at 8 am and ends Thursday at 4:30 pm.