Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2023
From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 37 min
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← 2019
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| Governor of Louisiana |
|---|
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| Primary election General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: August 10, 2023 |
| Primary: October 14, 2023 General: November 18, 2023 Pre-election incumbent(s): John Bel Edwards (Democratic) |
| How to vote |
| Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Saturday elections) Voting in Louisiana |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2023 Impact of term limits in 2023 State government trifectas State government triplexes Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2023 |
| Louisiana executive elections |
| Governor Lieutenant Governor |
Jeff Landry (R) won election as governor of Louisiana on October 14, 2023. He won outright with 51.6% of the vote. Shawn Wilson (D) finished second with 25.9%. Gov. John Bel Edwards (D)—who was first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019—was term-limited. Landry's victory meant the governor's office changed party hands and Louisiana became a Republican trifecta.
Primary elections in Louisiana are conducted using what we refer to as the Louisiana majority-vote system. All candidates appear on the same ballot in the primary, and a candidate can win outright by receiving more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate does that, the top two vote recipients—regardless of party—advance to the general election. This year's general election would have taken place on November 18, 2023. Click here to read more about this system.
Landry, Hunter Lundy (Independent), John Schroder (R), and Wilson had the most campaign contributions, expenditures, and media attention.
The Lafayette Daily Advertiser's Greg Hilburn wrote in March that "the pressure will build among the Republicans to see if any of them can catch and then pass Republican front-running Attorney General Jeff Landry. That's what it will take to join Democrat Shawn Wilson, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' former transportation secretary, in advancing to a two-person runoff election."[1]
Landry was the state's attorney general and was elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. He also served in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2013 and worked in law enforcement and oil and gas exploration. He was endorsed by former President Donald Trump (R) on May 8 and said in a campaign ad that his top priority was reducing crime: "Crime was the number one issue on the voters’ minds here in Louisiana. I don’t need any more statistics other than that. That’s real people seeing real things and having real crime affect them."[2][3]
Lundy was an attorney who ran for the U.S. House as a Democrat in 1996. He said he ran for governor because "People need hope and we need some change and we need improvements. We’re a wonderful state with wonderful people and interesting culture, but we’ve been talking about the same things for 50 years and we’re not doing anything about them. I’m a guy who’s going to do things and not talk about them."[4]
Schroder was the state treasurer and was elected to that office in a special election in 2017 and re-elected in 2019. He also served in the state House of Representatives from 2008 to 2017. He served in the criminal investigation division of the U.S. Army and worked as a police detective and in the real estate and homebuilding industries.[5] Schroder listed his priorities when he announced he was running on February 10: "We must take back our communities from criminals, reform Louisiana’s corrupt reputation, uphold the rights of parents and empower our teachers so we can improve education, strengthen our economy with a workforce equipped for the 21st century and tackle our infrastructure and tax policy."[6]
Wilson was the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development from 2016 to March 2023.[7] His previous experience included working as the assistant dean of students at the University of Louisiana, and as the chief of staff of the state transportation department.[8] Wilson said he had worked in a bipartisan manner during his career and would continue that as governor: "We will always face obstacles. To overcome them requires leaders that will work with everyone, at all levels of government, regardless of party or ideology. From fighting crime in our cities to flooding in our homes and businesses."[9] The Louisiana Democratic Party endorsed Wilson on June 25, 2023.[10]
From 1877 to 1980, every Louisiana governor was a Democrat. From 1980 to 2022, Louisiana had alternated between Democratic and Republican governors with Republicans holding the office for 24 years and Democrats for 20 years. From 1976 to 2020, the Republican candidate won Louisiana nine times and the Democratic candidate won the state two times.[11] President Donald Trump (R) carried the state in the 2020 presidential election over Joe Biden (D), 59% to 40%.
Daniel Cole (D), Oscar Dantzler (D), Patrick Henry Barthel (R), Xavier Ellis (R), Sharon Hewitt (R), Xan John (R), Stephen Waguespack (R), Benjamin Barnes (Independent), Keitron Gagnon (Independent), Jeffery Istre (Independent), and Frank Scurlock (Independent) also ran. On September 20, 2023, Richard Nelson (R) withdrew from the race and endorsed Landry.[12]
Xavier Ellis (R), Xan John (R), Hunter Lundy (Independent), and Shawn Wilson (D) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Click on a candidate's name to view that candidate's responses.
Election news[edit]
This section includes a timeline of events leading up to the election.
Candidates and election results[edit]
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Governor of Louisiana
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jeff Landry (R) | 51.6 | 547,827 |
 | Shawn Wilson (D)  | 25.9 | 275,525 | |
 | Stephen Waguespack (R) | 5.9 | 62,287 | |
 | John Schroder (R) | 5.3 | 56,654 | |
 | Hunter Lundy (Independent) | 4.9 | 52,165 | |
 | Daniel Cole (D) | 2.6 | 27,662 | |
 | Sharon Hewitt (R) | 1.7 | 18,468 | |
 | Benjamin Barnes (Independent) | 0.5 | 5,190 | |
| Patrick Henry Barthel (R) | 0.4 | 4,426 | |
 | Richard Nelson (R) (Unofficially withdrew) | 0.3 | 3,605 | |
| Jeffery Istre (Independent) | 0.3 | 3,400 | |
 | Xavier Ellis (R) | 0.2 | 1,734 | |
| Keitron Gagnon (Independent) | 0.1 | 1,260 | |
 | Xan John (R) | 0.1 | 1,164 | |
 | Frank Scurlock (Independent) | 0.1 | 1,131 | |
| Total votes: 1,062,498 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Oscar Dantzler (D)
Voting information[edit]
- See also: Voting in Louisiana
Candidate comparison[edit]
Candidate profiles[edit]
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am a native of Ferriday, LA. I am the son of a Louisiana farmer and hunter. I am the product of poor single mother on welfare. I graduated from Ferriday High School in 2012 as the salutatorian. I attended Louisiana Christian University (LC) where I graduated in December 2016 with a bachelor of arts in history and a minor in political science. While at LC, I wrote the resolution for the Wildcat Volleyball net which still stands today. Over the last six years I have taught secondary social studies, elementary social studies and elementary/middle school Health and Physical Education in St. Landry Parish (Opelousas). This culminate in me being the 22-23 Louisiana Educator of the Year with recognition at LSU's Tiger Stadium. I am running for office to 1) inspire my fellow Louisianans to dream big from the youngest of us to the oldest of us., 2) to address the teacher pay raise issue and need for educational reform for our students, 3) I feel I am the best candidate to deal with outward migration of our young people through recreational infrastructure because I am one of them 4)I want to diversify the office of Governor the same way you see a crowd at Tiger stadium and PMAC and 5)I believe it is time we have a governor who can GROW with the state versus AGE with the state of Louisiana."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Louisiana in 2023.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I’m Republican Xan John running for Governor. I’m here to give Louisianans a seat at the decision-making table and raise the standard of living in this great State. I am pro: Trump, the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Oil & Gas Industry. I am anti: wokeness, lockdowns, liberalism, censorship and CRT. I will fight for a pro-human future, to lower taxes and give raises to state law enforcement – while trying to make sure our disabled veterans pay no State taxes at all. We need to stop George Soros and World Economic Forum funded politicians in this State. Louisiana needs to adopt the state legislation that makes Delaware, Florida, and Texas so attractive. Let’s make Louisiana a sophisticated tax haven. Let’s keep Louisiana open and free. Let’s Make Louisiana Great Again and put Louisiana First! Demand your Freedom! Demand Xan John for Governor! "
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Louisiana in 2023.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- U.S. House of Representatives - Louisiana District 3 (2011-2013)
- Attorney General of Louisiana (Assumed office: 2016)
Biography: Landry received a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a law degree from Loyola University. He served as a member of the Louisiana Army National Guard and his work experience included working as a police office and a sheriff's deputy. He also founded an oil and gas environmental service company.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Louisiana in 2023.
Party: Independent
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Hunter Lundy was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana to Patricia Helms Lundy, a teacher and college professor, and Thomas Edward Lundy, Jr., employed by Lake Charles Stevedore's, Lake City Stevedore's, Lake Charles Ship Supply, and Harbor Docking and Towing. His father served as the chairman of the board of Harbor Docking and Towing until his death in 2012. He has three children: Patricia "Tricia" Lundy Barrow, Trevor Edward Lundy, Johnny Kade Watkins, and 5 grandchildren. Hunter began his college education at McNeese State University. He transferred to Millsaps College to play football in Jackson, Mississippi where he was awarded an athletic scholarship and graduated in 1976. Along the way, Hunter received the Scholar-Leader-Athlete award from the Mississippi College Sports Hall of Fame. Hunter earned his law degree in 1980 from Mississippi College School of law in Jackson, Mississippi. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and after graduation he served two years as law clerk to the Honorable Walter L. Nixon, Jr., U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. Hunter returned to Lake Charles in 1981 to practice law. In 1986, Hunter began the law firm currently known as Lundy, Lundy, Soileau, & South L.L.P."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Louisiana in 2023.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- Louisiana House of Representatives (2011-2013)
- Louisiana State Treasurer (Assumed office: 2017)
Biography: Schroder received a bachelor's degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. He was a special agent in the criminal investigation division (CID) of the U.S. Army and worked as a police detective and in the real estate and homebuilding industries.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Louisiana in 2023.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Dr. Shawn Wilson is a 25 year veteran of public service that has worked effectively with both Democratic and Republican administrations to put the people of Louisiana at the forefront in every way possible. A proud product of public education in New Orleans, Dr. Wilson is committed to improving quality of life and providing excellent public service through a consensus building and collaborative approach to problem solving. Dr. Wilson has over 15 years of experience in state government. Most recently, Dr, Wilson served as Louisiana’s Secretary of Transportation and Development, a position he held from 2016 until March 2023. Dr. Wilson transformed the agency to be more collaborative and efficient at leveraging resources and delivering services - resulting in historic and groundbreaking improvements in multimodal infrastructure. Dr. Wilson believes that by minimizing extreme policies, advancing centrist principles will ensure long-term, sustainable solutions to keep Louisiana moving forward."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Louisiana in 2023.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses[edit]
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
| Collapse all
Xavier Ellis (R)
Recreational Infrastructure- I believe we must work to make ALL of our muncipalities more attractive around the state. Recreational infrastructure is about addressing the weaknesses and threats of each community around the state. As Governor, if I have an understanding of the needs of the people I can better lobby for them when I'm in Baton Rouge with the legislature for funds. Also people will enjoy their communities more when there is less redundancy in city planning.
Hope and Inspiration- I want kids who look like me to know they can utilize politics as a way to better their families' circumstances and the outlook of their community just like professional athletes do everyday. My hope is my campaign be the spark to get more young people involved in politics and more young blood in the offices uniting with the old folks to move the state forward. It's going to take new ideas and solutions to get us in the top 25 of states in the major categories.
Xan John (R)
Anti-censorship & C.R.T.
Demand Xan John!
Hunter Lundy (Independent)
Education
Poverty
Shawn Wilson (D)
To make a better Louisiana we need to build bridges, not burn them. I have a record of effectively investing over $5.5 billion in nearly 7,000 miles of infrastructure improvements. I am committed to using the same leadership style that made those historic investments possible to build a better Louisiana for all.
I am committed to keeping the progress Louisiana has seen under Gov. John Bel Edwards going and to help us set new standards in education, public safety, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development.
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Hunter Lundy (Independent)
Our teachers and local school administrators are so worried about their bosses at the state Department of Education that we don’t get our kids out of classrooms and onto the playground.
Evidence says kids do better when you let them be kids and give them time to learn through activity. They need PE, recess, and extracurricular activities to learn teamwork and good citizenship.
Forcing teachers to “teach to the test” has failed our kids. Real learning opportunities in the classroom and on the playgrounds and athletic fields are lost because people decided that measuring was more important than learning.
We know that early childhood education reduces a child’s chance of future incarceration by 20%. If we can cut crime 20% just by teaching kids to read and be good citizens when they are little, we have to do it.
This school year, Louisiana public schools were 2520 teachers short. We don’t pay them and we don’t let them do their jobs. In Arkansas, the LEARNS Act increases the state’s minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000 and guarantees all teachers at least a $2,000 raise. Louisiana's starting average for a first year teacher is just $40,500. We need to raise teacher pay substantially to attract and retain good teachers.
Shawn Wilson (D)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
2006 ‧ Documentary/Political cinema ‧ 1h 45m
Visit: InfoWars.com
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Next you must be someone willing to be a lifelong learner. You must seek out the best practices in your line of work. Next you must be visible not just doing election season but while you serving in the office. If you stand to benefit from the election to office, I believe it is important to give back to the community.
Begin and leave in good standing in office.
Xan John (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Xavier Ellis (R)
Xan John (R)
Campaign advertisements[edit]
This section includes a selection of up to three campaign advertisements per candidate released in this race, as well as links to candidates' YouTube, Vimeo, and/or Facebook video pages. If you are aware of other links that should be included, please email us.
Sharon Hewitt[edit]
| January 13, 2023 |
| August 3, 2023 |
| August 3, 2023 |
View more ads here:
Jeff Landry[edit]
| September 29, 2023 |
| August 16, 2023 |
| May 9, 2023 |
View more ads here:
Hunter Lundy[edit]
| October 5, 2023 |
| October 4, 2023 |
| May 9, 2023 |
View more ads here:
Richard Nelson[edit]
| January 18, 2023 |
View more ads here:
John Schroder[edit]
| July 20, 2023 |
| June 13, 2023 |
| January 28, 2023 |
View more ads here:
Stephen Waguespack[edit]
| June 14, 2023 |
| May 31, 2023 |
| May 8, 2023 |
View more ads here:
Shawn Wilson[edit]
| June 25, 2023 |
| May 17, 2023 |
| May 17, 2023 |
View more ads here:
Debates and forums[edit]
This section includes links to debates, forums, and other similar events where multiple candidates in this race participated. If you are aware of any debates or forums that should be included, please email us.
September 28, 2023, debate[edit]
On September 28, 2023, Hewitt, Lundy, Schroder, Waguespack, and Wilson participated in a debate hosted by Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) and the Council for A Better Louisiana (CABL).[35]
Click on the links below for summaries of the event:
September 7, 2023, debate[edit]
On September 7, 2023, Hewitt, Lundy, Schroder, Waguespack, and Wilson participated in a debate hosted by WWL-TV Channel 4.[36]
Click on the links below for summaries of the event:
June 2, 2023, forum[edit]
On June 2, 2023, Hewitt, Lundy, Nelson, Waguespack, and Wilson participated in a candidate forum sponsored by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.[37]
Click on the link below for a summary of the event:
May 10, 2023, forum[edit]
On May 10, 2023, Hewitt, Lundy, Nelson, Waguespack, and Wilson participated in a forum sponsored by the Grow Louisiana Coalition.[38]
Click on the link below for a summary of the event:
April 26, 2023, forum[edit]
On April 26, 2023, Hewitt, Landry, Lundy, Nelson, Schroder, Waguespack, and Wilson participated in a campaign forum sponsored by the Public Affairs Research Council.[39]
Click on the links below for summaries of the event:
April 4, 2023, forum[edit]
On April 4, 2023, Hewitt, Landry, Lundy, Nelson, Schroder, Waguespack, and Wilson participated in a forum sponsored by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Louisiana Restaurant Association and the Louisiana Retail Association.[40]
Click on the link below for a summary and video clips of the event:
Election competitiveness[edit]
Polls[edit]
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Polls are conducted with a variety of methodologies and have margins of error or credibility intervals.[41] The Pew Research Center wrote, "A margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level means that if we fielded the same survey 100 times, we would expect the result to be within 3 percentage points of the true population value 95 of those times."[42] For tips on reading polls from FiveThirtyEight, click here. For tips from Pew, click here.
Below we provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. Click here to read about FiveThirtyEight's criteria for including polls in its aggregation. We only report polls for which we can find a margin of error or credibility interval.
| Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2023: Primary election polls | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Date | Wilson
|
Landry
|
Schroder
|
 Lundy
|
Waugespack
|
Undecided/Other | Margin of error | Sample size[43] | Sponsor[44] | |
| Mason Dixon | Sept. 12-15, 2023 | 24% | 40% | 3% | 4% | 9% | 21%[45] | ±4 | 625 RVs | Gray TV | |
| Faucheux Strategies | Aug. 14-19, 2023 | 26% | 36% | 4% | 7% | 6% | 21%[46] | ±3.46 | 800 LVs | Various[47] | |
| BDPC, LLC | July 6-10, 2023 | 27% | 30% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 27%[48] | ±4 | 600 RVs | Citizens for a New Louisiana | |
| Kaplan Strategies | June 30 - July 2, 2023 | 22% | 30% | 6% | 5% | 6% | 31%[49] | ±3 | 1,077 LVs | ||
| WPA Intelligence | June 15-17, 2023 | 17% | 35% | 3% | 4% | 6% | 35%[50] | ±4.4 | 500 LVs | Protect Louisiana's children PAC | |
| The Kitchens Group | June 12-15, 2023 | 21% | 31% | 6% | 4% | 5% | 31%[51] | ±2.45 | 1,600 LVs | Vantage Data House | |
| Click [show] to see older poll results | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Date | Wilson
|
Landry
|
Schroder
|
Lundy
|
Waugespack
|
Undecided/Other | Margin of error | Sample size[52] | Sponsor[53] | |
| VCreek/AMG | May 9-12, 2023 | 6% | 35% | 4% | 1% | 4% | 49%[54] | ±4.9 | 400 LVs | Americas PAC | |
| WPA Intelligence | April 11-13, 2023 | 18% | 36% | 6% | 3% | 2% | 31%[55] | ±4.4 | 500 LVs | Club for Growth PAC | |
| JMC Analytics and Polling | March 6-8, 2023 | 29% | 28% | 3% | 3% | -% | 35%[56] | ±4.0 | 600 LVs | John Belton | |
General election race ratings[edit]
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[57]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[58][59][60]
| Race ratings: Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2023 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
| October 10, 2023 | October 3, 2023 | September 26, 2023 | September 19, 2023 | ||||||
| The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter | Lean Republican | Lean Republican | Lean Republican | Lean Republican | |||||
| Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Likely Republican | Likely Republican | Likely Republican | Likely Republican | |||||
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Likely Republican | Likely Republican | Likely Republican | Likely Republican | |||||
| Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week. | |||||||||
Noteworthy endorsements[edit]
This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.
Election spending[edit]
Campaign finance[edit]
This section contains campaign finance figures from candidates submitted to the Louisiana Ethics Administration Program during 2022 and 2023.
Satellite spending[edit]
Spending news[edit]
- Protect Louisiana’s Children spent an undisclosed amount on TV ads attacking Stephen Waguespack, starting on June 5, 2023.[61]
- Reboot Louisiana PAC spent an undisclosed amount on TV ads attacking Jeff Landry, starting on May, 31, 2023.[61]
- Reboot Louisiana PAC spent $1,750,000 on TV ads supporting Stephen Waguespack, starting on May 8, 2023.[62]
Election context[edit]
Election history[edit]
2019[edit]
- See also: Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2019
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
General election
General election for Governor of Louisiana
Incumbent John Bel Edwards defeated Eddie Rispone in the general election for Governor of Louisiana on November 16, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John Bel Edwards (D) | 51.3 | 774,498 |
 | Eddie Rispone (R) | 48.7 | 734,286 | |
| Total votes: 1,508,784 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Governor of Louisiana
The following candidates ran in the primary for Governor of Louisiana on October 12, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Bel Edwards (D) | 46.6 | 625,970 |
| ✔ | | Eddie Rispone (R) | 27.4 | 368,319 |
 | Ralph Abraham (R) | 23.6 | 317,149 | |
 | Oscar Dantzler (D) | 0.8 | 10,993 | |
| Patrick Landry (R) | 0.8 | 10,966 | |
 | Gary Landrieu (Independent) | 0.8 | 10,084 | |
| Total votes: 1,343,481 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Manuel Leach (R)
- Patrick Doguet (R)
- M.V. Mendoza (D)
2015[edit]
- See also: Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2015
There was a regularly scheduled election for governor in 2015. Bobby Jindal (R) was ineligible for re-election due to term limits. The primary election took place on October 24, 2015, and a runoff election occurred on November 21, 2015.
No candidate received an outright majority in the blanket primary election. The two candidates with the most votes, who qualified for the November runoff election, were John Bel Edwards (D) and David Vitter (R).
Edwards defeated Vitter and succeeded Governor Jindal in January 2016.[63]
General election[edit]
The general election for Louisiana governor between David Vitter (R) and John Bel Edwards (D) was held on November 21, 2015. Edwards defeated his Republican opponent.
| Governor of Louisiana, Run-off election, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  John Bel Edwards |
56.1% | 646,860 | |
| Republican | David Vitter | 43.9% | 505,929 | |
| Total Votes | 1,152,789 | |||
| Election Results via the Louisiana Secretary of State. | ||||
Primary election[edit]
| Governor of Louisiana, Blanket Primary, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John Bel Edwards |
39.9% | 444,061 | |
| Republican | David Vitter |
23% | 256,105 | |
| Republican | Scott Angelle | 19.3% | 214,907 | |
| Republican | Jay Dardenne | 15% | 166,553 | |
| Democratic | Cary Deaton | 1.1% | 11,750 | |
| Democratic | S L Simpson | 0.7% | 7,411 | |
| Independent | Beryl Billiot | 0.5% | 5,690 | |
| Independent | Jeremy "JW" Odom | 0.4% | 4,755 | |
| Independent | Eric Paul Orgeron | 0.2% | 2,244 | |
| Total Votes | 1,113,476 | |||
| Election Results Louisiana Secretary of State. | ||||
State profile[edit]
| Demographic data for Louisiana | ||
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 4,668,960 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 43,204 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 62.8% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 32.1% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 1.7% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.6% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 1.8% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 4.7% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 83.4% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 22.5% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $45,047 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 23.3% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Louisiana. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern[edit]
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Louisiana
Louisiana voted Republican in all six presidential elections between 2000 and 2020.
More Louisiana coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Louisiana
- United States congressional delegations from Louisiana
- Public policy in Louisiana
- Endorsers in Louisiana
- Louisiana fact checks
- More...
2023 battleground elections[edit]
- See also: Battlegrounds
This election was a battleground race. Other 2023 battleground elections included:
- Mayoral election in Wichita, Kansas (August 1, 2023, primary election)
- Mentor Exempted Village School District, Ohio, elections (2023)
- Virginia State Senate elections, 2023
See also[edit]
| Louisiana | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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External links[edit]
Footnotes[edit]
- ↑ Daily Advertiser, "Louisiana governor's race field explained in 60 seconds," March 27, 2023
- ↑ KTBS, "Former President Donald Trump endorses Jeff Landry for La. governor," May 8, 2023
- ↑ BRProud, "Candidate for governor says crime will be his top concern if elected," April 20, 2023
- ↑ American Press, "Gubernatorial candidate Hunter Lundy shares his plans for state," February 9, 2023
- ↑ Louisiana Department of Treasury, "Treasurer John M. Schroder," accessed June 14, 2023
- ↑ NOLA.com, "John Schroder kicks off campaign for governor, promises to restore faith in government," February 10, 2023
- ↑ WAFB, "Former DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson announces run for governor," March 6, 2023
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Shawn Wilson," accessed June 15, 2023
- ↑ Louisiana Illuminator, "Louisiana now has a prominent Democratic candidate in the governor’s race: Shawn Wilson," March 6, 2023
- ↑ WAFB, "Shawn Wilson endorsed by La. Democratic Party in race for governor," June 25, 2023
- ↑ 270 to win, "Louisiana," accessed June 16, 2023
- ↑ WDSU News 6, "Richard Nelson drops out of Louisiana governor's race," September 20, 2023
- ↑ Louisiana Illuminator, "Candidates fight for second place in final Louisiana gubernatorial debate ," accessed September 28, 2023
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Editorial: The Times-Picayune, Nola.com endorse Stephen Waguespack for governor," September 21, 2023
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Steve Scalise endorses Jeff Landry in Louisiana governor's race," September 21, 2023
- ↑ WDSU News 6, "Richard Nelson drops out of Louisiana governor's race," September 20, 2023
- ↑ WWL-TV, "Candidates for governor tackle insurance, abortion, crime and more," accessed September 8 2023
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Bill Cassidy endorses Jeff Landry in the governor's race," July 31, 2023
- ↑ WAFB, "Shawn Wilson endorsed by La. Democratic Party in race for governor," June 25, 2023
- ↑ Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, "CRCL to host forum on coastal issues for gubernatorial candidates," accessed June 13, 2023
- ↑ WAFB, "Candidates for governor pitch ideas to members of La.’s oil and gas industry," May 10, 2023
- ↑ Daily Advertiser, "Donald Trump endorses Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry in Louisiana governor's race," May 8, 2023
- ↑ WAFB, "PAR hosts forum for Gubernatorial candidates," April 26, 2023
- ↑ NFIB, "Gubernatorial Election Preview Coming Up April 4 in Baton Rouge," March 22, 2023
- ↑ Louisiana Illuminator, "Stephen Waguespack announces run for Louisiana governor," March 9, 2023
- ↑ KPLC News, "Gov. Edwards endorses Shawn Wilson for Governor," March 7, 2023
- ↑ AP News, "First prominent Democrat enters race for Louisiana governor," March 6, 2023
- ↑ Facebook, "Danny Cole," January 22, 2023
- ↑ The Advocate, "New entrant to Louisiana governor's race: state Rep. Richard Nelson," January 18, 2023
- ↑ The Advocate, "Sharon Hewitt is running for governor. See why the latest entrant to the race is getting in," January 13, 2023
- ↑ KPLC News, "Xan John announces candidacy for governor," January 13, 2023
- ↑ KPLC News, "Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy joins race for governor," January 12, 2023
- ↑ WDSU News, "Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces he is running for governor," January 9, 2023
- ↑ Daily Advertiser, "Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder will run for governor, Billy Nungesser opts out," January 9, 2023
- ↑ Louisiana Illuminator, "Candidates fight for second place in final Louisiana gubernatorial debate ," accessed September 28, 2023
- ↑ WWL-TV, "Candidates for governor tackle insurance, abortion, crime and more," accessed September 8 2023
- ↑ Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, "CRCL to host forum on coastal issues for gubernatorial candidates," accessed June 13, 2023
- ↑ WAFB, "Candidates for governor pitch ideas to members of La.’s oil and gas industry," May 10, 2023
- ↑ WAFB, "PAR hosts forum for Gubernatorial candidates," April 26, 2023
- ↑ NFIB, "Gubernatorial Election Preview Coming Up April 4 in Baton Rouge," March 22, 2023
- ↑ For more information on the difference between margins of error and credibility intervals, see explanations from the American Association for Public Opinion Research and Ipsos.
- ↑ Pew Research Center, "5 key things to know about the margin of error in election polls," September 8, 2016
- ↑ RV=Registered Voters
LV=Likely Voters - ↑ The sponsor is the person or group that funded all or part of the poll.
- ↑ Hewitt (R) 2%
Barthel (D) 1%
Dantzler (D) 1%
Nelson (R) 1%
Undecided 15% - ↑ Hewitt (R) 3%
Nelson (R) 2%
Undecided/Not sure 16% - ↑ The Advocate, The Urban League of Louisiana, WWL-TV of New Orleans, The Public Affairs Research Council of Baton Rouge, KATC-TV of Lafayette, WBRZ-TV of Baton Rouge and KTBS-TV of Shreveport
- ↑ Hewitt (R) 3%
Someone else 1%
Not sure/No answer 23% - ↑ Hewitt (R) 5%
Someone else 2%
Undecided 24% - ↑ Hewitt (R) 2%
Someone else 2%
Undecided 31% - ↑ Hewitt (R) 2%
Someone else 7%
Undecided 24% - ↑ RV=Registered Voters
LV=Likely Voters - ↑ The sponsor is the person or group that funded all or part of the poll.
- ↑ Hewitt (R) 1%
Nelson (R) 1%
Other 4%
Not Sure 44% - ↑ Hewitt (R) 3%
Nelson (R) 1%
Someone else/Undecided 30% - ↑ Hewitt (R) 2%
Graves (R) 12% (not running)
Nelson (R) 1%
Undecided 22% - ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
- ↑ 61.0 61.1 The Advocate, "TV ad war launched against Republicans Stephen Waguespack and Jeff Landry by outside groups," June 6, 2023
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Pro-Waguespack super PAC launches first TV ad campaign in governor's race," May 5, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections Louisiana gubernatorial liveblog thread #3," November 21, 2015
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