Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry in the governor’s race. University of Louisiana at Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says this is a significant development in the governor’s race as Trump is well-liked by Republican voters in Louisiana.
“President Trump has a reservoir of support in Louisiana that can’t be underestimated, he won the state quite handily in his two contests for President,” said Cross.
Trump says in his endorsement message that Landry has been a fantastic AG and he wants to stop crime. The former president also says Landry loves the people of Louisiana just like he does.
Landry is one of five major Republicans running for governor and is considered a front-runner to make a run-off, because of the financial backing he’s already received. Cross says a high-profile endorsement from a former president is also extremely helpful.
“I think this will be a really important feather in Jeff Landry’s cap and I think this is one of those really safe endorsements that he can make that will move a race towards a foregone conclusion,” said Cross.
Cross says Republican candidate Stephen Waguespack could have used an endorsement from Trump. He says not having it, makes it difficult for his campaign to be successful.
“It’s clearly going to close off some donors and some influence and he’s going to have to make the case against Donald Trump as well as Jeff Landry, which makes the climb to the governorship, much harder,” said Cross.
In the last Louisiana governor’s race, Trump endorsed businessman Eddie Rispone and made several trips to Louisiana on his behalf, but Governor John Bel Edwards was still re-elected.
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