Displaying items by tag: Louisiana governor's race

Louisiana is the only state in the South and the most conservative state in the nation with a Democrat Governor. Donald Trump earned 58% of the vote in Louisiana in 2016 and there is a decent chance that a Governor who supported Hillary Clinton will be re-elected on October 12 without being forced into a run-off.

Governor John Bel Edwards is a Democrat with conservative views on social issues such as gun rights and abortion. However, he also has liberal fiscal policies. Nonetheless, he is is in a comfortable lead in the homestretch of the race.

I’m confused.  Perhaps  somebody can explain the commercial to me.

Last night, I saw for the first time, a Ralph Abraham campaign commercial that said something I found both shocking and curious.  According to Abraham, as he looks directly and sincerely at the video cameras, the rigs are employing no one and current Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is to be blamed.

When qualifications for elections in Louisiana concluded recently, only two of the seven statewide officials are facing major and well-funded opposition.  Incumbent Governor John Bel Edwards faces eight challengers including five republicans. But only two GOP candidates are considered serious; Congressman Ralph Abraham from Northeast Louisiana and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone.

It is never easy to defeat an incumbent Governor of Louisiana. Our Governors are very powerful with access to plenty of statewide appointments, ever present publicity opportunities and enormous amounts of funds from the state budget.

Not surprisingly, the last time an incumbent lost the race was in 1991 when then Governor Buddy Roemer failed to make the runoff. Of course, that was the infamous election between Edwin Edwards and David Duke.

The debate over abortion continues to rage among our citizens. It is the most divisive political issue in our country. It is also the main reason there is so much contention whenever there is an opening on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Liberals realize that the decision establishing abortion rights, Roe v. Wade, may be overturned if President Donald Trump is allowed to successfully nominate another conservative Supreme Court Justice.

And, they're off!!

Well, not actually. If you've been laboring over Louisiana favorite sport lately, the once-every-four-years gubernatorialcampaign, you can rest a spell.  The ponies really haven't even goten up to the starting gate. Not yet.  And that won't take place, according to Louisiana pollster Bernie Pinsonat, until after Labor Day. And when it does arrive and we all collectively wake up and smell the prospects of a real horse race, all bets could be off as to the outcome.

Well, kinda.

If you didn't know better, you might think that President Donald Trump was running for governor as a Republican against John Bel Edwards, the incumbent and a Democrat.

Newbie political candidate, Eddie Rispone, a Baton Rouge businessman, who has his own rags to riches story to tell, essentially has made Trump his running mate with his TV advertising. Rispone backs Trump, donated to him and mentions the president throughout the ads.  Rispone, a virtual unknown in the state had to introduce himself to the voters for the first time. He chose to align himself with the national figure that the vast majority of Republican voters adore.

There is nothing bigger in Louisiana politics than a Governor’s election, especially a competitive one, like the upcoming campaign. In this race, voters will have the option of three well-funded candidates, Governor Joh Bel Edwards, U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone, as well as six other contenders, including one, Gary Landrieu, who is a member of a family with a 60-year history in Louisiana politics.

I took a quick tour of two political websites this morning. One was Dr. Ralph Abraham and the other was businessman Eddie Rispone. Both are Republicans. Both are running for Governor.

The state of Louisiana is one of the most unique places in the world. We live in a state with tremendous history, architecture and culture. We are blessed with the Mississippi River, countless bayous and waterways and bountiful natural resources which allow our state to earn the title of “sportsman’s paradise.”