Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, the early GOP front runner in the state’s governor race, attended his first major-televised gubernatorial debate Friday evening, opening the door to political attacks from a crowded room of candidates.
With Louisiana’s election just a month away, the seven candidates hoped to break through the pack and appeal to voters ahead of the Oct. 14 open primary.
The candidates outlined how they plan to address pressing issues and where they stand on some of the state’s most talked about topics, including the near-total abortion ban, crumbling roads and bridges, the property insurance crisis and the deadly 2019 arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene.
The seven candidates who participated included GOP state Sen. Sharon Hewitt; Landry, a conservative backed by former President Donald Trump; Hunter Lundy, a Lake Charles-based attorney running as an independent; Republican state Rep. Richard Nelson; Republican state Treasurer John Schroder; Stephen Waguespack, the Republican former head of a powerful business group and former senior aide to then-Gov. Bobby Jindal; and Shawn Wilson, the former head of Louisiana’s Transportation and Development Department and the only major Democratic candidate.
The debate, which was hosted by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., aired on multiple Louisiana news stations including KLFY.
Wilson, the sole Democrat, and Republican Rep. Nelson said they favor the exceptions. While Wilson supports exceptions and a ballot initiative to allow citizens to vote on the abortion laws, he has previously stated he is pro-life.
“It’s not the place of the legislature to come between a doctor and a woman, whether it’s cancer, diabetes, or maternal health. Those are the facts, pro-choice or pro-life,” Wilson said.
All candidates addressed the death of Greene, who was killed after being arrested by Louisiana State Police. Authorities initially blamed a car crash until The Associated Press published long-withheld body-camera video showing the motorist being stunned, beaten and dragged.
Some candidates criticized current Gov. John Bel Edwards for his handling of the aftermath. Schroder and Landry have backgrounds in law enforcement and said they are willing to meet with the Greene family. Schroder said law enforcement being held accountable is paramount. Landry pointed to the Alton Sterling case, saying he has a record of protecting police and holding them accountable.
Asked if they supported adding toll roads to raise funds for road and bridge projects, all candidates except Lundy raised their hands.
While most of the night was spent on issues, some candidates took the opportunity to verbally spar with Landry, who skipped the first debate.
Over the past month, most of his opponents have jabbed at Landry on social media and in interviews, calling him a bully and making accusations of backroom deals to gain support. In a recent television ad, Schroeder tied Landry to a political culture of cronyism and corruption.
