Election 2023: Qualifying for this fall’s Louisiana races is under way

The qualifying period for candidates in Louisiana’s elections runs from 8 a.m. Tuesday to 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Those seeking statewide offices will sign up at the State Archives building in Baton Rouge, while those entering legislative races and seeking local office will qualify with their local clerks of court.

Chester Pritchett, of the birthday party, has qualified to run for Lieutenant Governor, an office he hopes to eliminate. On the bulletproof vest, he says he wears it whenever he goes to Shreveport, Baton Rouge or New Orleans #lalege #lagov pic.twitter.com/W4N3I6ZdKx

— Piper Hutchinson (@ByPiperHutch) August 8, 2023

12:45 p.m. Republican Tami Hotard, a real estate investor and author from Madisonville, has qualified to challenge Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser.

The Illuminator will post updates to this feed throughout the qualifying period.

Rep. @StefanskiForAG has qualified to run for attorney general #lalege #lagov pic.twitter.com/JdVGAqoQQX

— Piper Hutchinson (@ByPiperHutch) August 8, 2023

11:54 a.m.: Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup has qualified to run for Secretary of State. She has unsuccessfully run for the office before.

10:50 a.m.: Dustin Granger, the leading Democratic Party candidate for state treasurer, has qualified for this fall’s election.

10:40 a.m.: In addition to Tim Temple, another insurance professional has qualified to run for state insurance commissioner. Rich Weaver, a Baton Rouge Democrat, has entered the field.

10:27 a.m.: Former state transportation secretary Shawn Wilson has qualified for the governor’s race.

10:24 a.m.: John Fleming, a former congressman and Trump administration official, has qualified to run for treasurer. He won’t rule out that the 2020 election was stolen from the former president. “I can’t draw a conclusion based on the evidence because it has never been presented to me.”

Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain has qualified to run for re-election. #lalege #lagov pic.twitter.com/Hq8ZSVp1SU

— Piper Hutchinson (@ByPiperHutch) August 8, 2023

Treasurer @JohnSchroderLA has qualified to run for governor. Schroder says he’d allow the half cent sales tax to expire. “That money belongs to the taxpayers of Louisiana, not the bureaucrats… if it was up to me I’d write you a check today.” #lalege #lagov pic.twitter.com/WqgM0qTxcG

— Piper Hutchinson (@ByPiperHutch) August 8, 2023

9 a.m.: Independent Hunter Lundy is the first candidate to qualify for governor. He says he disagrees with the assessment of his campaign as a “long shot.” He also slams slams Rolling Stone magazine for describing him as a Christian Nationalist, calling it political rhetoric and an attack, but says it probably helped him with voters

House Speaker @SchexnayderClay has qualified to run for Secretary of State. Schexnayder says it’s great Louisiana is 6th in election integrity, but he wants to move us to #1. Adds he supports a voting system that includes a paper ballot for audit purposes. #lalege #lagov pic.twitter.com/Kvgu7k3NjB

— Piper Hutchinson (@ByPiperHutch) August 8, 2023

Tim Temple, who previously ran an insurance business, has qualified to run for commissioner of insurance. “I think it’s important now more than ever, that your next commissioner of insurance be from the industry, understand the industry, understand the complexities…” #lalege pic.twitter.com/xQ8d7Pu7fK

— Piper Hutchinson (@ByPiperHutch) August 8, 2023