Newly re-elected Senator John Kennedy says he is considering running for governor next year, despite the state GOP emphatically backing Attorney General Jeff Landry. What effect might his entering the race have? LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Kennedy’s announcement has the logic of numbers behind it…
“He won well over 60-percent of the vote and didn’t have any major challengers to speak of. This is somebody who, clearly, has a great, deep well of support among voters in the state.”
Hogan thinks Kennedy officially getting into the race may well affect the plans of others interested in running. He says Kennedy is not the kind of opponent most candidates want…
“…who has immediate name recognition, who’s a proven campaign fundraiser, quick on his feet and can turn a phrase so it gets national attention so quickly. You’d have to think twice about running against somebody like that.”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Treasurer John Schroder, and state Senator Sharon Hewitt have all expressed interest in running under the GOP banner. Hogan says Kennedy’s entry night dissuade that.
Within a short time of Senator Kennedy’s message that he may decide to run, the Louisiana Republican party re-affirmed its endorsement of Jeff Landry. Hogan says, despite that, the Attorney General may be less palatable for many as governor…
“A lot of people are saying you need someone who is more moderate. Kennedy certainly is more moderate compared to Landry, I think it’s safe to assume.”
Kennedy was re-elected to the U.S. Senate last week with 62-percent of the vote. he says he’ll announce his decision on running for governor of Louisiana soon.
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