Election 2023

State Rep. Richard Nelson during the Police Jury Association of Louisiana forum at the Shreveport Convention Center, March 10, 2023. (Photo by Henrietta Wildsmith)

What they’re actually saying: Louisiana’s 7 governor candidates

BY: - March 11, 2023

SHREVEPORT – Now that the Louisiana gubernatorial candidates’ field is finally settling and they have started to do more public appearances, it’s time to look at what the folks running for the state’s top office are actually saying. While it’s still early in the race, the candidates are trying to stake out their political territory […]

Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin testifies in front of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee

Ardoin among GOP officials pushing back against federal election oversight

BY: - March 10, 2023

WASHINGTON — Republican election officials from Florida, Ohio and Louisiana on Friday detailed to lawmakers on a U.S. House Administration panel the success of their states’ handling of the 2022 midterm elections, and said they can run their own elections without federal intervention. The chair of the Elections Subcommittee, Florida GOP freshman Rep. Laurel Lee, […]

Stephen Waguespack

Stephen Waguespack announces run for Louisiana governor

BY: - March 9, 2023

The head of state’s top business organization formally informed its board members Thursday he would be stepping down to run for governor. Stephen Waguespack, who’s led the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry for 10 years, enters a crowded field of Republicans already committed to the race. Multiple sources told the Illuminator earlier this week […]

COMMENTARY
Stephen Waguespack and Jeff Landry

In governor’s race, we’ll see if ‘Wags’ can tail top dog Landry

BY: - March 8, 2023

One of the bigger questions hanging over the 2023 governor’s race has been answered now that Congressman Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, has opted to stay out. His decision came Tuesday morning, just hours after news broke that his good friend and Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack would become a candidate. “After […]

Jeff Landry

‘Anybody but Jeff’ Republicans may have found a candidate for Louisiana governor

BY: - March 7, 2023

The head of Louisiana’s largest business lobby confirmed Tuesday morning that he’s thinking about running for governor, potentially shaking up a field of Republican candidates who have disappointed some major Republican political donors so far. “My wife and I are taking a look at it – and praying, reflecting and talking to friends,” said Stephen […]

Stephen Waguespack

LABI president poised to enter Louisiana governor’s race, sources say

BY: - March 6, 2023

The head of one of Louisiana’s most powerful business groups is expected to enter the governor’s race Thursday, according to a handful of lobbyists and political operatives who spoke on the condition of anonymity Monday night. Stephen Waguespack, who has run the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) since 2013, started to tell board […]

Democrat Shawn Wilson

Louisiana now has a prominent Democratic candidate in the governor’s race: Shawn Wilson

BY: - March 6, 2023

Former Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson became the only major Democratic candidate to enter the governor’s race Monday, emphasizing his record of working in a bipartisan manner to build roads and bridges across the state.  “We will always face obstacles. To overcome them requires leaders that will work with everyone, at all levels of government, […]

GOP governor candidates Sharon Hewitt Jeff Landry, Richard Nelson and John Schroder

3 talking points from Louisiana’s Republican governor candidates

BY: - March 3, 2023

At this early stage in the governor’s race, the four announced Republican gubernatorial candidates are hitting on similar campaign messages, though offering few specifics about what they would do as governor to solve the state’s problems. State Sen. Sharon Hewitt, Attorney General Jeff Landry, state Rep. Richard Nelson and Treasurer John Schroder appeared at the Louisiana […]

A van from the NOLaToya recall effort is parked in front of New Orleans City Hall.

Court agreement lowers threshold for signatures needed to recall Cantrell

BY: - March 1, 2023

NEW ORLEANS – The signature-count threshold needed to trigger a general election to recall Mayor LaToya Cantrell would be lowered from about 50,000 to about 45,000 in a surprising court settlement reached Wednesday between the recall drive organizers and the Secretary of State’s office. The details of the settlement were not immediately available, but a […]

Dustin Granger

Dustin Granger enters Louisiana treasurer race as Democratic candidate

BY: - February 28, 2023

Personal financial adviser Dustin Granger of Lake Charles became the first Democrat to enter the Louisiana treasurer’s race Tuesday, emphasizing state government should shift away from favoring oil and gas investments and diversify its financial portfolio. “We have been making bad investment decisions for far too long,” Granger said in an interview. “There are so […]

Jeff Landry and John Schroder

Bond Commission keeps banking options open, despite Jeff Landry’s wishes

BY: - February 25, 2023

Members of the State Bond Commission met Friday and opted against placing any restrictions on the banks Louisiana is allowed to borrow money from based on the institution’s environmental, social or governance views.  Concerns that limiting the state’s choice could cost taxpayers in terms of higher interest overcame calls from Attorney General Jeff Landry to […]

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell speaks to an audience at the Andrew P. Sanchez Multi-Service Center in the Lower 9th Ward

Cantrell recall would make significant history in Louisiana

BY: - February 23, 2023

Organizers of a recall petition to oust New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell had until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to file their petition with the required number of verified signatures to force a special election on the matter. A successful recall in a city this large would be unprecedented, as standards to remove elected officials in many […]