It was a big day for Louisiana politics as the 2023 Governor’s race came into much clearer focus after a flurry of reports dropped.
State Treasurer John Schroder has confirmed to supporters that he is, in fact, running for governor this year.
In a letter to supporters, Schroder wrote "God willing, I will be your next Governor! We will kick off the campaign officially Thursday, February 9" in Mandeville.
Schroder, who has long been expected to make the announcement, will join Jeff Landry as a top Republican in the race.
"This campaign is not going to be an easy one," Schroder said in the letter to supporters. "We expect a crowded field and know we will have to buck the entrenched political establishment to win, but it is a fight worth fighting for the future of Louisiana."
Schroder first got into state politics in 2008 when he was sworn in as a state representative from House District 77 in St. Tammany Parish. In 2017, he resigned from that seat to devote his full time and effort to running for treasurer, a job he won in 2019.
In his statement, he listed the changes he wants to make as governor.
"We must build faith in government through transparency and accountability," he explained. "We have suffered long enough for our reputation as a politically corrupt, crime ridden, unhealthy and uneducated state!"
The race for governor will be tough, as Landry, currently serving as Louisiana's Attorney General, has already secured endorsements from members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation and the state Republican Party.
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, meanwhile. decided to opt-out of and focus on re-election.
In a statement released Monday, Nungesser noted that his tenure as Lt. Governor has seen a lot of positive growth for Louisiana, but that he sees a need to stay where he is.
"But the worst pandemic in our lifetime and a series of devastating storms leaves me with unfinished business to bring tourism back to its peak performance, especially for the near 250,000 families who rely on this industry for their livelihoods," Nungesser told supporters in a statement. "For that reason, and after much thought and prayer, I have decided to seek re-election to the Office of Lt. Governor."
Nungesser had previously said he would be announcing his bid on Tuesday, January 10, which is his birthday. He turns 64 this year.
The Lt. Governor is also currently dealing with a broiling controversy in his own office, where he's accused of retaliating against a state worker and whistleblower who questioned some state contracts in his office.
State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton is taking Nungesser to court for putting her on leave. She retained attorney Gregory Miller who says Nungesser never had the authority to “march” Hamilton out of her office. Nungesser agrees that he does not have that authority.
He says Hamilton was sent home by her own human resources department after multiple employees made complaints about her workplace behavior.
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Hamilton says Nungesser is trying to get even because she reported his “questionable” contracts to state and federal authorities.
Nungesser said he was never made aware of Hamilton’s complaints.
“I don’t know what I could’ve done that she could’ve reported me for,” said Nungesser.
He explained the last time he was investigated by the feds was during his campaign four years ago. He says someone told the FBI he was buying minority votes in the New Orleans area. He was unable to speak about the outcome of that investigation.
Here is Nungesser's full statement on the 2023 race.
Meanwhile, Landry has picked up another key congressional endorsement, this time from Rep. Mike Johnson, who represents Louisiana's 4th Congressional District.
Johnson, a conservative member of the House, joins the ranks of several Republicans around the state who have already made an endorsement. Freedom Caucus member Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-3) endorsed Landry late in 2022. Former candidates for Governor, Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone, both endorsed Landry shortly after he announced.
The state GOP likewise has made an early endorsement of the Attorney General for the state's top political job.
In a statement, Johnson said that Landry has "earned his reputation in Louisiana as a trusted conservative."
"Across our country, Jeff has been leading the fight to protect our fundamental freedoms," Johnson said. "Louisiana desperately needs a fearless champion in the governor's office who will deliver the policy changes and structural reforms that will turn our state around. The next four years will be absolutely critical for Louisiana, and I know Jeff will fight hard every day for our families and our future. I am proud to support and stand with Jeff Landry for Governor of Louisiana."
On the Democratic side, most observers still expect that Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson will make a run for Governor this year. It’s been rumored that John Bel Edwards, who is currently the governor, has been pushing him to run.
LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford is also reporting today that East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore, a Democrat, is also looking at running.