Securing Louisiana’s Future, a political action committee backing Congressman Ralph Abraham in the governor’s race unleashes a Facebook ad attacking fellow gubernatorial Republican candidate Eddie Rispone. The ad references Rispone, as a wealthy businessman, trying to buy the election. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says it is part of the game when campaigning for GOP votes.
“Neither of them can win without gaining a significant number of Republicans. They will, whether they like it or not, have to attack each other,” said Stockley.
Rispone has poured about $10 million of his own money into his campaign war chest.
Intraparty attacks are something Louisiana Republicans have attempted to avoid in the fallout of an unsuccessful 2015 run for the Governor’s mansion. Stockley says the current race doesn’t have near the vitriol there was four years ago.
“Senator Vitter, for all intents and purposes, waged a slash and burn campaign against his fellow Republicans to a degree that did not need to occur,” said Stockley.
Stockley says he is not surprised that the attacks have begun.
“One of them has to separate themselves now. If there is any chance at a Republican upset in October, someone has got to move, and this is the time to do it,” said Stockley.
