The announcement of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson’s retirement has many speculating about his intent to run for governor. Governor Edwards made the announcement on his monthly radio call-in show Ask the Governor that Wilson is stepping down on March 4th. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford said the timing is foreshadowing.
“There are many key supporters for Shawn Wilson who were already expecting an announcement early in March. And I think this underscored those expectations,” said Wilson.
Alford said another indicator that Wilson will seek to succeed his current boss, was Edwards praising the fellow democrat’s tenure at DOTD and his leadership. Edwards said he’ll let Wilson announce his intentions and that he didn’t want to get ahead of him.
“But I can tell you we would be very well served to have Shawn Wilson as our next governor should he choose to run and should the people of Louisiana choose to vote for him,” said Edwards.
And yet another clue that Wilson will throw his hat in the ring for governor Alford said is Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt’s announcement that she’s not running.
“It all sends a very strong signal to anyone who’s kind of looking at the field, thinking about the field, that maybe they should think twice, especially if they’re a Democrat,” said Alford.
Wilson has served as Transportation Secretary for seven years and received national recognition as the first African American president of the American Association of State highway and Transportation Officials in 2020.
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