The National Republican Governors Association is getting into the fray of things in Louisiana with a TV attack ad against Democrat Shawn Wilson. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross said the ad points out road and bridge issues under Wilson’s tenure as secretary of state Department of Transportation.
“They’re using information, it all seems to be fairly accurate. Of course, there’s another side to this question but they’re not presenting that,” said Cross.
Cross said the attack ad indicates the NRGA believes frontrunner Republican Jeff Landry will most likely face Wilson in a runoff.
But will the ad make a difference? Cross believes so because voters want a good return on investment from their leaders.
“I think these kinds of ads that are statewide do have an effect, particularly in terms of softening up a candidate laying the groundwork for more attacks later on,” said Cross.
Cross said state funding for DOTD from the gas tax hasn’t been increased for decades. Even though the Edwards administration tried it was met with resistance from the Republican-controlled legislature. Cross said so it’s harder to say what kind of job Wilson has done in that position.
“There haven’t been any ethics complaints or other kind of those kinds of complaints, but it’s true that Louisiana roads and bridges have somewhat stagnated during the last seven to eight years,” said Cross.
The primary election is scheduled for October 14th.
To view the ad, click here.
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