Election 2023

Gubernatorial candidate Stephen Waguespack answers a question Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana forum held at the Crowne Plaza in Baton Rouge.

Waguespack and Nelson officially join field for Louisiana governor 

BY: - August 10, 2023

With the entrance of the last two expected candidates for governor Thursday, Louisiana’s Oct. 14 primary election shapes up to be a showdown with frontrunner Jeff Landry, a field of Republican challengers who hope to jump him in the polls and Democrat Shawn Wilson. Trailing closest behind Landry is Stephen Waguespack, a well-funded Republican who […]

Longtime New Orleans elected official makes surprise entry to Louisiana Secretary of State race 

BY: - August 10, 2023

Less than one year after he announced his retirement from his near four decade-long career in politics, longtime New Orleans politician Arthur Morrell made a splash by deciding to run for Secretary of State in the final hours of qualifying.  “The most important thing is the bedrock for our democracy, and that’s the vote, the […]

Jeff Landry standing at podium speaking to reporters

Endorsed by Trump, Jeff Landry won’t say whether Trump tried to undermine the 2020 election

BY: - August 10, 2023

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has been touting his endorsement from Donald Trump in the governor’s race for weeks, but Landry refused Wednesday night to say whether he thought the former president tried to cast aside results of the 2020 election.   When a journalist asked Landry about Trump’s criminal charges, the attorney general did not […]

A sign directs people to the Louisiana State Archives building for election qualifying Aug. 9, 2023, in Baton Rouge.

Election 2023: Final day for candidates to qualify for Louisiana’s fall ballot

BY: - August 10, 2023

Statewide candidates seeking a spot on the Oct. 14 ballot in Louisiana had until 4:30 p.m. Thursday to qualify with the Secretary of State. The same deadline applied to local candidates with their parish clerks of court. The Illuminator followed qualifying activity and posted updates here throughout the day, with the latest news posted first […]

Attorney General Jeff Landry speaks to reporters before qualifying Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, for the governor’s race Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, at the Louisiana State Archives building in Baton Rouge.

Landry, Hewitt officially join field for Louisiana governor

BY: - August 9, 2023

State Sen. Sharon Hewitt and Attorney General Jeff Landry officially entered the race for Louisiana governor Wednesday, joining a crowded Republican field for the Oct. 14 primary election.  Landry, a St. Martinville native, is the current Republican front runner, and many polls expect him to win the seat over Democratic opponent and former state transportation […]

Solicitor General Liz Murrill speaks to the press Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, after qualifying for the attorney general’s race at the Louisiana State Archives building in Baton Rouge.

Field for Louisiana attorney general includes 3 Republicans, surprise Democrat 

BY: - August 9, 2023

The Louisiana Republican Party-endorsed candidate for attorney general qualified Wednesday for this fall’s election, as did a surprise Democratic candidate who appears to have state party support for her run.  Liz Murrill, solicitor general for current Attorney General Jeff Landry, officially placed her name on the ballot. She has consistently led the campaign in fundraising […]

State Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Sidell, speaks to reporters after she qualified Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, for the governor’s race

Election 2023: Qualifying continues for Louisiana’s fall elections

BY: - August 9, 2023

Candidates for Louisiana’s statewide and local elections continue to qualify for the fall election. Contenders for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer and insurance commissioner have until 4:30 p.m. to officially file paperwork at the Louisiana State Archives building in Baton Rouge. This article will be updated frequently throughout the day. 4:05 […]

Louisiana treasurer race 2023

Election 2023: 3 candidates sign up to run for Louisiana state treasurer

BY: and - August 9, 2023

Two Republicans and one Democrat signed up Tuesday to run for state treasurer of Louisiana, a position with limited authority that has nevertheless catapulted people such as John Kennedy and Mary Landrieu to more prestigious elected offices. Former Congressman John Fleming of Minden and state Rep. Scott McKnight, of Baton Rouge are Republicans. Financial adviser […]

John Fleming portrait

Treasurer candidate who worked for Trump says he doesn’t know who won 2020 election

BY: - August 9, 2023

A former congressman and current state treasurer candidate on Tuesday said he doesn’t know whether President Joe Biden won the 2020 election over Donald Trump.  “I believe it was a very close election and I have not been presented with evidence either way,” about the outcome of the race, Republican John Fleming said at a […]

A yard sign against Ohio Issue 1 in Mount Vernon, Ohio

Ohio voters reject Issue 1 constitutional amendment changes, the Associated Press projects

BY: - August 8, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio voters have rejected state Issue 1, which sought to make it harder for voters to pass constitutional amendments, the Associated Press has projected. The full counting of unofficial results is ongoing, but the AP has officially projected that the “No” side has won. As of 10 p.m., with three-fourths of precincts […]

Mike Strain

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain signs up to run for reelection

BY: - August 8, 2023

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain signed up Tuesday to seek his fifth term in statewide office. A veterinarian from St. Tammany Parish, Strain won his first election to run the Department of Agriculture and Forestry in 2007. The commissioner, a Republican, currently has no major opponents, but candidates have until 4:30 p.m. Thursday to qualify […]

A man speaks at a podium while a woman stands next to him

On Day 1 of qualifying, Louisiana candidates slam business as usual — and one another 

BY: - August 8, 2023

“M-O-N-E-Y.”  That’s what drives the “corruption and cronyism” at the capitol, state Treasurer John Schroder, a Republican, told the press as he qualified to run for governor, a position he says he will use to run the state in an honest and transparent manner.  But when asked for an example of the cronyism he’s campaigning […]