With the New Orleans political scene set for the next four years, politics watchers are turning their attention to the 2023 Governor’s Race, a contest that is now just under 22 months away.
Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat told WWL the early favorites haven’t changed much in the last year. They remain Republicans Attorney General Jeff Landry and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, but he noted in 2019 Eddie Rispone basically came out of nowhere and fell just two percent short of becoming the state’s next Governor.
“Remember, this is Louisiana, it is virtually impossible that based on the political interest in the governor’s race, the power that the governor acquires, that we will not have at least three, four, five, six candidates,” said Pinsonat.
Democratic Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is term-limited and will not be able to seek a third consecutive term. Pinsonat said whether a Black or rural white Democrat ends up carrying the party's torch in 2023 will play a big role in the course of the campaign.
It appears increasingly likely that COVID is going endemic and, unless it magically disappears in the next two years, will continue to be a major policy debate. Pinsonat said the debate about whether more or less public health restrictions are needed will likely even split GOP candidates along moderate and conservative lines.
Pinsonat said while there will be differences, it is unlikely any successful statewide candidate will run on a staunch COVID public health restriction policy or a vaccine mandate.
“That’s not that popular in Louisiana so any candidate running for governor who took strict positions on that today, slim to none are there chances of being the next governor,” said Pinsonat.
Between now and 2023 there is also a US Senate race but it’s largely expected to be a cakewalk for Senator John Kennedy, barring any major developments.
