2007 Gubernatorial Races

[Galactic Overlord]

There is talk that Senator John Breaux would jump into the governor's race in 2007, but I've heard nothing definite on that, and probably won't for a while.  He would be the toughest to beat, in fact I doubt he could be beaten.  Mitch Landrieu would be stronger than Blanco, but he's yet to have a competitive race statewide (his Lt. Governor race was practically assured. He had several Republican opponents that were all underfunded and not a threat to him).

I think in all likelihood, Vitter will jump into the governor's race, and Jindal will run or be appointed to the Senate.  I have no doubt Bobby will want the job, but he deferred to Vitter in the 2004 Senate race, and anyway, he's younger and has the time to wait.

[Galactic Overlord]

It's mostly what I've heard through the grapevine and read about in local media.  Vitter wanted to run for governor in 2003, but backed out.  Even though he ran for Senate, it seems he still has that ambition, perhaps to launch a presidential bid someday, since governors are more likely to win than senators.  I have no doubt that he or Jindal would beat Blanco, though.

Breaux can run whether Blanco backs out or not.  We have an open primary where all candidates can run together, and the top two vote getters compete in a runoff.  So Breaux can simply outpoll Blanco and make it to the runoff.  His age may be a factor though, he's now in his sixties, and has been in public office for so long he may want to keep earning money in the private sector.

I don't think Mitch can run for the Senate unless his sister retires or is defeated, since I doubt (in fact I'm almost certain) Louisiana will not tolerate two Landrieus as both their senators.  He may be the second choice if Breaux does not run.

[Galactic Overlord]

But i wonder if it would be seemly for Breaux to contest an election against an incumbent governor... though I’d be happy for him to try, I also wonder if there would be a run off at all, I can see Breaux easily getting 50%+ in a gubernatorial run the Democratic base would be sewn up and Breaux would have tremendous pull amongst independents and even the naturally republican “good o’ld boys” types who dominate the rural interior of the state.

No would care if it was unseemly or not. Blanco's unpopular, and Breaux is very much popular. He'd be a hero to many.

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Mary ran for governor in 1995, but got edged out of the runoff by Democrat Cleo Fields.  She's still pretty young and I'm sure she's still considered another run from time to time.  The problem for her is getting a good base to run again, and she's had very tough election fights in 1996 and 2002, and may not survive in 2008.