Current:Home > MyLouisiana gubernatorial candidates set to debate crime, economy and other issues 5 weeks from vote-InfoLens
Louisiana gubernatorial candidates set to debate crime, economy and other issues 5 weeks from vote
View Date:2024-12-23 12:22:58
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Five candidates vying to become Louisiana’s next governor are set to take the stage Thursday evening for the first major televised gubernatorial debate this election season, an opportunity to make their case to voters on pressing issues such as crime, economy, the justice system, education and an insurance crisis.
Just five weeks from Election Day, the debate will take place without the race’s early front-runner. State Attorney General Jeff Landry, a Republican backed by former President Donald Trump, is skipping the event after raising questions about one of the sponsors.
With no incumbent on the ballot this year, Louisiana’s gubernatorial election has attracted seven major candidates. John Bel Edwards, the only Democratic governor currently in office in a Deep South state, is unable to seek reelection due to term limits, meaning Republicans have a huge opportunity to seize control of the state’s executive branch.
The debate participants are GOP state Sen. Sharon Hewitt; Hunter Lundy, a Lake Charles-based attorney running as an independent; state Treasurer John Schroder, a Republican; Stephen Waguespack, the Republican former head of a powerful business group and former senior aide to then-Gov. Bobby Jindal; and Shawn Wilson, the former head of Louisiana’s Transportation and Development Department and the only major Democratic candidate.
Only the top five polling candidates were invited to take part. After Landry decided not to attend, Hewitt was invited. State Rep. Richard Nelson, also a Republican, missed the cut.
Over the past month, most of the candidates have jabbed at Landry on social media, in ads and in media interviews, calling him “a bully,” accusing him of backroom deals to gain support and associating him with a political culture of cronyism and corruption.
But they won’t get to confront him in person at the debate Thursday after he opted out, saying the sponsorship by the Urban League of Louisiana “raises questions about impartiality.” The state Republican Party also has taken that stance and urged all GOP candidates to boycott the event.
The Urban League is a nonpartisan civil rights organization that advocates on behalf of Black Louisianans and other underserved communities. Debate organizers say the group did not craft, and will not be posing, questions for the event.
Landry has missed several other prominent forums with candidates, The Advocate reported. He has committed to a Sept. 15 debate in Lafayette sponsored by Nexstar Media Group, however.
Under the state’s “jungle primary” system, candidates of all party affiliations are on the same Oct. 14 ballot. If nobody tops 50%, the two leading vote-getters advance to a general election Nov. 18.
Thursday’s debate will air live at 7 p.m. from WWL-TV Channel 4’s studio in New Orleans. It will also be streamed on the station’s social media platforms.
veryGood! (982)
Related
- Steelers shoot for the moon ball, but will offense hold up or wilt in brutal final stretch?
- Woman accusing Vince McMahon of sexual abuse asks WWE to waive confidentiality agreements
- These police officers had red flags in their past, then used force in a case that ended in death
- What are legumes? Why nutrition experts love TikTok's dense bean salad trend
- College football top five gets overhaul as Georgia, Miami both tumble in US LBM Coaches Poll
- Opinion: Messi doesn't deserve MVP of MLS? Why arguments against him are weak
- What polling shows about Black voters’ views of Harris and Trump
- Amazon Prime Day 2024: 30% Off Laneige Products Used by Sydney Sweeney, Porsha Williams & More
- College football top five gets overhaul as Georgia, Miami both tumble in US LBM Coaches Poll
- Rare $100 Off Dyson Airwrap for October Prime Day 2024 — Grab This Can't-Miss Deal Before It Sells Out!
Ranking
- Cameron Brink set to make Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut
- Texas edges Ohio State at top of in college football's NCAA Re-Rank 1-134 as Alabama tumbles
- En Honduras, los Libertarios y las Demandas Judiciales Podrían Quebrar el País
- How Tucson police handled a death like George Floyd’s when leaders thought it would never happen
- Hurricane-stricken Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees’ spring training field in Tampa
- Taylor Swift surpasses fellow pop star to become richest female musician
- These Amazon Prime Day Deals on Beauty Products You’ve Seen All Over TikTok Are Going Fast & Start at $5
- 'No chemistry': 'Love is Blind's' Leo and Brittany address their breakup
Recommendation
-
Will Aaron Rodgers retire? Jets QB tells reporters he plans to play in 2025
-
Patriots' Jabrill Peppers facing assault charge in alleged domestic violence incident
-
'No chemistry': 'Love is Blind's' Leo and Brittany address their breakup
-
Cissy Houston, Mom of Whitney Houston, Dead at 91
-
FanDuel Sports Network regional channels will be available as add-on subscription on Prime Video
-
Get an $18 Deal on Eyelash Serum Used by Luann de Lesseps, Lala Kent, Paige DeSorbo & More Celebrities
-
Kyle Richards Influenced Me To Add These 29 Prime Day Deals to My Amazon Cart
-
3 killed when a medical helicopter headed to pick up a patient crashes in Kentucky