The state’s most powerful business lobby, The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, endorses both Republican contenders in the Governor’s race.
It’s a change of pace for the political powerhouse who did not endorse in the primary last year. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says securing LABI endorsements is vital for a Republican candidate.
“LABI is one of the entities that caused the Democrats in the Legislature to be almost non-existent. They bring a lot of money to the table and a lot of their candidates are involved in these other PACs.”
The primary will be held on October 12th. If no candidate cracks 50 percent of the vote a run-off will be held on November 16th.
Pinsonat says the biggest question is whether or not the early endorsements signal the group’s interest in a more active role in the race. Pinsonat says LABI has little to lose from going hard after the Governor.
“I don’t think that it is going to fracture the relationship because there is not much of a relationship to start with.”
The political analyst says getting a LABI endorsement doesn’t necessarily directly influence voters, but it does open a lot of fundraising floodgates for a pro-business candidate.
“It’s not so much the endorsement. It is important, but it sends a signal to small businesses, and it also allows a candidate to receive thousands of dollars from LABI.”
A Governor Edwards spokesperson told the Advocate LABI is endorsing the Governor’s opponents, because they “promising to bring back Governor Jindal’s failed policies.”
