Louisiana governor race may top $100M; follow money as hopefuls post reports

Greg Hilburn
Lafayette Daily Advertiser

Campaign spending on Louisiana's 2023 governor's race is likely to set a record by topping $100 million for the first time, the state's premier political insider predicted after the first key campaign finance reports were posted.

"It seems like each new cycle is setting fundraising and spending records, and I don't think this cycle will be any different," said Jeremy Alford, publisher of LaPolitics Weekly, The Tracker and co-author of "Long Shot," the story of Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' unlikely win eight years ago.

And so far Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry is lapping the field with more than $5 million cash on hand entering 2023. That doesn't include another $1.5 million from a political action committee supporting his candidacy or the $350,000 from the Louisiana Republican Party, which issued an early endorsement of Landry.

Landry's campaign hasn't been shy about touting his campaign war chest. "We are and have been running an aggressive race because Jeff knows this is about the future of Louisiana," consultant Brent Littlefield recently told USA Today Network.

"The biggest takeaway from these first campaign finance reports is that Jeff Landry has mastered the art of financing a campaign with three or four accounts in his corner," Alford said. "I don't think I've ever seen a more organized, sophisticated approach."

But the biggest bankroll doesn't always translate to victory, as illustrated by Edwards' win eight years ago against former Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter, who had outraised Edwards four to one at this point in the race.

And that's what the other Republican candidates are counting on as they escalate their fundraising efforts.

Here are the leading Republicans, behind Landry, out of the gate: Treasurer John Schroder, $2.4 million cash on hand; Slidell state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, $617,875 cash on hand (includes a $200,000 loan from Hewitt to her campaign); and Mandeville state Rep. Richard Nelson, $197,346 cash on hand.

"I've been humbled to see how quickly our campaign has gained momentum since launching just over a month ago," Hewitt said when announcing her fundraising total. "This race will be decided by the people of Louisiana, not out-of-state consultants and backroom political games. We will have the resources to compete hard for every vote."

And then there's wealthy attorney Hunter Lundy of Lake Charles, an Independent who posted $1.65 million cash on hand that included $1.4 million of his own money in the form of a loan. Lundy describes himself as a conservative Christian.

Louisiana Capitol, spring 2022.

"Our campaign finished #2 in fundraising," Lundy tweeted. "More than a statewide office holder, a powerful state senator, and a prominent state representative. I'm fighting to get things done in this state while the two parties fight each other."

"Hunter Lundy made himself relevant by donating $1.4 million to his own campaign," Alford said. "And he appears willing to write more of those checks if needed."

The Republicans' and Lundy's early efforts leave a lot of catching up to do for Democrat Shawn Wilson, who announced his retirement as Edwards' transportation secretary last week with the clear intention to enter the race without formally announcing yet.

More:Democrat Shawn Wilson sets stage to launch campaign for Louisiana governor

Edwards is term-limited and can't run again.

"The big question is Shawn Wilson," Alford said. "Since he wasn't able to fundraise before retiring, he's going to need (Edwards') help raising money."

Last week Edwards signaled his support for Wilson.

"He's absolutely capable, eminently qualified and would do a great job," Edwards said of Wilson on the governor's monthly radio show. "We would be very well served to have Shawn Wilson as our next governor."

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.