Election 2023
Shawn Wilson retires from DOTD; no word yet on governor’s race
The person who has emerged as the most likely Democrat to run for Louisiana governor announced he is retiring from his state job, but so far there’s been no word from outgoing Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson on whether he will enter the race. Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Wednesday that Wilson is leaving his post […]
Schroder ends the mystery and enters governor’s race
MANDEVILLE – Long considered a probable candidate, Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder made his intentions public Thursday night and announced he is running for governor. He joins a field that so far includes three other Republican contenders. Before a large crowd of supporters at the Fleur de Lis Event Center, Schroder shared his campaign platform on […]
Former Louisiana Congressman John Fleming likely to enter treasurer’s race
Former Congressman John Fleming, R-Minden, looks likely to enter the Louisiana treasurer’s race, he said in an interview Wednesday morning. Fleming has already commissioned a statewide poll on candidacy and is fundraising for a potential campaign. He has also hired two members of a potential campaign team, though he isn’t quite ready to make an […]
Attorney general, legislators call for restricting minors’ access to library materials
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has called for legislation to restrict what children and teens can check out from public libraries. He released a report Tuesday on what he considers sexually explicit materials available to minors at libraries. Landry is also a candidate for governor who has been endorsed by the Republican Party of Louisiana. […]
What potential Louisiana governor candidates are saying
Two major candidates who might join the Louisiana governor’s race said they still aren’t ready to announce whether they are launching a campaign yet. U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, said he hasn’t made up his mind yet over whether he will run for governor. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, a Democrat, said he will […]
‘Underdog’ Sharon Hewitt, former engineer, hopes her path leads to governor’s office
Sharon Hewitt said the impact she made with her local parent-teacher association in Slidell inspired her to enter politics in 2015, but she was far from just another mother active in her children’s school. In an interview with the Illuminator, Hewitt said her unique background makes her the best choice for Louisiana’s next governor. Born […]
Washington Mardi Gras: The swamp becomes crowded
WASHINGTON – The Washington Hilton lobby was wall-to-wall with Louisiana elected officials, lobbyists, and business leaders Thursday afternoon as more Washington Mardi Gras attendees arrived ahead of the first official night event of the week’s festivities. The Hilton’s ground floor bar – renamed the “65th Parish” for the next few days in honor of Louisiana […]
From one swamp to another: Welcome to Washington Mardi Gras
Ahead of a state special session on insurance next week, many of Louisiana’s elected officials, business leaders and state lobbyists decamped to Washington, D.C., for the annual Washington Mardi Gras. The politically-fueled celebration this week features dozens of corporate parties, business group luncheons and candidate fundraisers. While official events don’t get underway until Thursday, hundreds […]
Louisiana Democratic chair Katie Bernhardt says she’s ‘committed to uniting behind one candidate’ for governor
WASHINGTON – Louisiana Democratic Party chair Katie Bernhardt didn’t rule out running for governor herself in an interview Wednesday, but also said she was “committed to uniting behind one [Democratic] candidate.” She specifically mentioned she would be willing to get behind Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, should he jump into the governor’s race. Speaking in […]
Secretary of State Ardoin pushes for U.S. citizenship check on jury duty notices
Parish court officials in Louisiana could be required to ask residents to verify their United States citizenship if state lawmakers approve a proposal heading their way. The State Board of Election Officials voted Tuesday to recommend that clerks of court ask about someone’s citizenship status when they send out a jury duty notice. The board […]
Sex offenders could be banned as election commissioners
The Louisiana Legislature could consider a proposal to ban sex offenders from working as election commissioners. While voters who are sex offenders must cast absentee ballots if their precinct is located at a school, there currently is no such prohibition in place for polling precinct workers. The State Board of Election Commissioners issued an official […]
Solicitor General Liz Murrill jumps into attorney general’s race
Liz Murrill announced her candidacy for Louisiana attorney general Monday with a campaign video released online. She is currently the state’s solicitor general, the top litigator in the attorney general’s office. “Louisiana elects a new AG in 2023,” a voiceover in the advertisement said. “Let’s go with our best advocate, the one protecting our families, […]