Displaying items by tag: Louisiana elections

If there is anything to say about this Louisiana governor's race polls this year, they appear to be rather consistent compared to prior years in terms of the potential ceiling for Governor John Bel Edwards.  The surveys that I have seen have put Edwards close to "but no cigar" getting the necessary 50% plus one vote to avoid what would likely be a brutal contest runoff.

According to national political pundits, there is a revolution going on all over America. Voters are in a rebellion mode with little confidence in the political leadership at both the national and state levels. Being an incumbent politician is no longer a badge of honor. A poll released recently and sponsored by the Washington Post and ABC news finds that “72% of Americans believe that politicians cannot be trusted and two thirds think the country’s political system is dysfunctional.

Remember the days when candidates for U.S Senator or Governor would speak to thousands of supporters at weekend rallies all over Louisiana? Huey Long was the master, mainly because he promised he’d give voters just about anything they wanted. A long line of colorful politicians followed in Huey’s wake. But those days seem to be long gone and forgotten.

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.

A voter would think that former Governor Bobby Jindal is running again in the coming fall elections.  Rarely does current Gov. John Bel Edwards make a speech where he does not lay all the state’s financial woes at the feet of Jindal.  Why has Jindal become such a political punching bag with such a high negative among Louisiana voters?

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.

We're hours away from qualification closing time and unless there are any surprises at this point, it appears these will be the candidates for the statewide offices. John Bel Edwards, the incumbent is facing two Republicans Congressman Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone. They of course are the top tier with money, name recognition and background support. Other candidates in the mix are a democrat, an Independent and two other republicans. 

Qualifications have ended and it’s now a sprint to election day.  So what top issues should the candidates for governor and the legislature talk about in the coming weeks?  There is an abyss of a state with massive fiscal problems, an educational system that is dysfunctional, a healthcare system that needs a major overhauling, a highway system that has been neglected for years…get the picture?

Being a moderate democrat in Louisiana has become a real labor of love today, The Louisiana Democratic Party is becoming more and more irrelevant in the Bayou State. Party officials did itself a real disservice two years ago when it tried to wipe out the memory of the state’s two most important figures.

If ever there were any two individuals who should be regularly honored and commemorated in Louisiana history, there should be doubt that the two should be Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. And for many years, the Louisiana Democratic Party did honor both American heroes by hosting an annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner as a yearly fundraiser. Democrats held similar events across the country.  And for good reason.

Psst… Wake up.

Don’t tell anyone, but we’ve got a "red-hot" statewide election here in Louisiana in just a few months.  In fact, all Louisiana legislators are up for either re-election or are vacating their seats due to terms-limits. There might be a legislator here or there just throwing in the towel even before their time expires. 

Ok, stop your yawning. You're not interested, you say?

Well, positions such as Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Insurance Commissioner are all up for grabs. Oh, did I not mention, the big kahuna of all, the top spot, Louisiana Governor? This is currently held by Democrat John Bel Edwards. No doubt, replacing him is top on the agenda for the Louisiana Republican Party.

Sorry, was that a "ho-hum" or "hum-dinger"?  

Oh, I see. Well, does anybody know? Does anybody care?

Well, if you’re running for office, absolutely. But, if you’re Mr. or Ms. Average Voter, maybe not.