Three major Louisiana statewide offices to be decided by voters Saturday

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On Saturday, Louisiana is poised to make significant decisions regarding three major statewide offices, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s political landscape. This comes after eight years of Democratic governance and recent victories for Donald Trump in the past two presidential elections, signaling the possibility of Republicans securing all five of the state’s top executive branch positions.

While the gubernatorial election was settled in October when Jeff Landry, a Republican with the backing of former President Trump, secured an outright victory and avoided a runoff, this weekend’s voting will determine the occupants of several other crucial roles, including attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer, all of which are currently vacant.

This election carries profound implications for the structure of Louisiana’s executive branch, as many incumbents opted not to seek re-election, ushering in new leadership in key positions of state authority. Democrats aim to secure a statewide office in this traditionally conservative state, while the GOP endeavors to maintain its current offices. Notably, regardless of the outcomes, Louisiana is poised to welcome its first-ever female attorney general and its first female secretary of state.

Despite the absence of a gubernatorial race on Saturday’s ballot and relatively low early voting turnout, the election has garnered attention from former President Trump, who recently endorsed the Republican candidates in all three statewide races. Trump expressed his full support for these candidates, emphasizing their outstanding qualifications in a statement issued by the Louisiana Republican Party.

Depending on the results, Trump may find a close ally in the state treasurer’s office, with John Fleming, a conservative former congressman who served in Trump’s administration, facing off against Democrat Dustin Granger, a financial advisor based in Lake Charles.

The secretary of state race holds particular significance, as the winning candidate will be tasked with replacing Louisiana’s outdated voting machines, which lack the capability to produce paper ballots, an essential component for ensuring the accuracy of election results. This replacement process gained national attention amid allegations of bid-rigging and the involvement of conspiracy theorists who support Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud.

The race for secretary of state features Nancy Landry and Gwen Collins-Greenup, both of whom qualified for the runoff in October’s multiparty “jungle” primary, each securing 19% of the vote. Republican Landry, a former state representative from Lafayette with four years of experience in Ardoin’s office, faces Democrat Collins-Greenup, an attorney from Baton Rouge who previously advanced to a runoff in 2019 but was unsuccessful.

The victor will make history as Louisiana’s first female elected secretary of state, following in the footsteps of Alice Lee Grosjean, who was appointed to the position in 1930 by then-Gov. Huey P. Long after the sudden death of Secretary of State James Bailey.

Additionally, the race for attorney general, a position currently held by the incoming governor, Jeff Landry, is on the ballot. The attorney general plays a crucial role in representing the state in various legal disputes. Landry’s tenure has been marked by high-profile actions, including his support for legislation banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths and a near-total abortion ban without exceptions for cases of rape and incest.

Liz Murrill, Landry’s chief deputy, is seeking to succeed her boss, aligning herself with conservative causes, such as a lawsuit against President Joe Biden’s administration over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors, and adopting a tough-on-crime stance. In opposition, Lindsey Cheek, a trial attorney with notable successes in environmental and “Cancer Alley” lawsuits, represents the Democratic side of the race. Despite entering the race later than her opponent and facing a significant fundraising gap, Cheek advocates for abortion access, while Murrill supports the existing ban.

In addition to these pivotal races, the ballot includes four proposed constitutional amendments, one of which pertains to property tax exemptions for first responders. Local government office races, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education seats, and 20 legislative runoffs are also part of this important electoral event.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Louisiana Statewide Elections

More about Louisiana Statewide Elections

• Louisiana elections coverage
• Jeff Landry’s victory in gubernatorial election
• Significance of Louisiana’s executive branch changes
• Historical significance of female candidates
• Secretary of state race importance
• Candidates for Louisiana attorney general
• Key policy stances in attorney general race
• Proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot
• Other races included on the ballot