Author

Robert Collins

Robert Collins

Robert Collins is a professor of urban studies and public policy at Dillard University, where he holds the Conrad N. Hilton Endowed Professorship. He was previously dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and associate vice president for academic affairs at Dillard. He also served on the urban Planning faculty at Harvard University. Before entering academia, he had a career as a congressional staffer, working for former U.S. Sen. Bennett Johnston.

COMMENTARY
A sign marks a polling site with multiple precincts at a fire station in New Orleans' Garden District

State of apathy: Louisiana election season ends with a whimper, not a bang
By: - November 21, 2023

Welcome to the state of apathy. When the low-interest Louisiana primary election resulted in Jeff Landry being elected governor outright without needing a runoff, analysts expected even lower interest in the general election with no gubernatorial candidates at the top of the ballot. The primary election turnout was 36%, and according to the Secretary of […]

COMMENTARY
Gov. Andy Beshear talks to reporters after his Louisville rally Monday night, Nov. 6, 2023. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman stands at his side.

What can the Louisiana Democratic Party learn from recent wins by red state Democrats?
By: - November 15, 2023

When Shawn Wilson, the only major Democrat in the Louisiana gubernatorial race, failed to make it into a runoff with Republican Jeff Landry on Oct. 14, many pundits argued that the state’s demographics make it impossible for Democrats to be competitive in statewide elections. However, on Nov. 7, Democrats achieved electoral successes in two red […]

COMMENTARY
Louisiana governor candidates John Schroder, Sharon Hewitt, Stephen Waguespack, Hunter Lundy and Shawn Wilson take part in a debate at WWL-TV in New Orleans.

Jeff Landry won the first governor’s race debate without showing up
By: - September 13, 2023

As a new NFL season begins it is an interesting coincidence that Attorney General Jeff Landry is employing an established football strategy to win a spot in the gubernatorial runoff: Jump out to a big lead, sit on the ball, don’t take any risks, and run out the clock. Given his big lead in the […]

COMMENTARY
A sign marks a polling site with multiple precincts at a fire station in New Orleans' Garden District

Dark money, infighting could change Louisiana governor’s race
By: - August 18, 2023

Qualifying for the Louisiana governor’s election closed Aug. 10 without any last-minute surprise candidates entering the race. The major Republican candidates in the running include state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, the only prominent woman candidate, state Attorney General Jeff Landry, state Rep. Richard Nelson, State Treasurer John Schroeder, and former president of the Louisiana Association of […]

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