Governor Edwards has released his first TV re-election ad of the gubernatorial campaign. The ad emphasizes Louisiana’s recovery from the Jindal deficits under Edwards’ leadership.
Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a familiar line for Edwards, but it has a weakness…
“He reminded people how much he has done to fix the problems, even having a surplus, but of course what he does not mention is all the taxes he had to raise to get that surplus.”
Edwards passed a one cent sales tax increase after taking office. That sales tax increase was reduced to .45 of a penny in the 2018 Legislative Session.
Pinsonat says the ad shows the Edwards campaign is trying to leverage budget stability for higher Ed and healthcare to counter attacks from his Republican opponents over a broken promise…
“Edwards did not run on taxes, and promised that he would not raise taxes, so he is now trying to keep the subject on his thoughts on how he saved Louisiana.”
Edwards is running against Republicans Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham.
Pinsonat says the reported seven figure ad buy will likely appeal to Edwards base, but he’s got a long way to go to convince the state’s more conservative voters…
“Campaigning on I Saved Government, I don’t think that will win for him. It’s a good start, but he’s got to have a better message than I saved Louisiana government for him to win in Louisiana, a Republican state.”
The primary is set for October 12th, with a run-off scheduled for November 16th if none of the candidates win over 50 percent of the vote.
