Chair of the state Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt tells The Advocate she’s not running for governor. And while her recent TV ad received widespread criticism from party members, LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford said she never declared her candidacy for any office in the ad, only that help was coming.
“She never mentioned an office in that ad, she never mentioned governor. So it’s slightly anti-climatic to hear her say that she’s not going to run,” said Alford.
Some party members saw Bernhardt’s ad as self-serving instead of promoting the party. Alford believes her announcement is indicative of something else.
“I think the announcement from Katie Bernhardt is an indication that she’s stepping out the way for a major democrat to announce for governor,” said Bernhardt.
Alford said that could be either Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson or East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore.
But for Bernhardt, Alford said her poll to run for governor and TV ad, even though she never announced her candidacy, could continue to haunt her.
“If she decides to run for re-election to the chair, this could very well be an issue that state central committee members discuss,” said Alford.
Alford said chairs of both the state’s Democratic and Republican parties have received pushback from members. Bernhardt for self-promotion and Louis Gervich for endorsing Jeff Landry before any other Republican announced their candidacy.
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