Stephen Waguespack stepped down as the leader of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) on Thursday and launched his gubernatorial campaign, becoming the fifth major Republican to enter the race. JMC analytics pollster John Couvillon said Waguespack lacks name recognition among voters, but he should be able to raise campaign funds.
“In terms of getting the necessary attention from donors and/or political observers in the short term, I still consider it a major entry even if the average voter does not yet know who he is.”
Waguespack served as the LABI president since 2013, and he was also a key figure within former Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration. The way Jindal governed has drawn criticism from even members of the Republican Party, but Couvillon doesn’t think that will hurt Waguespack.
“It has been eight years since Bobby Jindal has been governor, so I think that that charge, if it were levied or raised, I don’t think it would have the same punch as it would have eight years ago.”
Waguespack’s entrance means there are now seven major candidates running for governor. Five Republicans, Democrat Shawn Wilson and independent Hunter Lundy. Couvillon expects the candidates will stay in the race for at least a few months. But he said the next campaign finance report will be telling,.
“I think with each successive finance report that comes out, donors will be much harsher in terms of judging the viability of a candidate and whether they feel if they should contribute to that person.”
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