Retired Gen. Russel Honore’ said Wednesday he won’t run for governor of Louisiana, leaving the field likely set for the fall race.
Honore’s decision leaves three Republicans — Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and U.S. Sen. David Vitter — and lone Democrat state Rep. John Bel Edwards as the only announced candidates for the Oct. 24 race.
Observers had thought Honore, because of his name recognition and his reputation developed while leading the federal recovery in New Orleans following Katrina, might be the only potential candidate left who could have shaken up the race.
But the general, who isn’t affiliated with a political party, said he can do more for Louisiana outside of elected office.
“I want to continue to serve the people of Louisiana as an advocate for the government we all deserve, but after nearly four decades as a loyal and proud soldier serving our country, after much thought and reflection over the past several weeks, I’ve concluded that I can best continue to serve the state I love by not by becoming a politician and running for governor, but by working with the good people of Louisiana to reorder our political priorities and hold all of our elected officials accountable to the people they swear to serve,” he said on his Facebook page.
“The coming elections represent a golden opportunity for all of us; an opportunity to hold our elected representatives accountable and demand that those seeking our votes propose real solutions to the big problems facing our state and its hard working families,” he said. “And to hold them to their campaign promises.”
Honore’ said he wasn’t ready to endorse a current candidate, but didn’t rule it out.
“I still have to think about that and will try to get our citizens to make informed decisions and go vote,” he told Louisiana Gannett.
Candidates who hope to woo Honore’s support chimed in quickly.
“General Honoré is a distinguished leader whose service to Louisiana continues to inspire a new generation to preserve the things we love most about our beautiful state,” Edwards said. “I look forward to working with him as governor and I will ensure that his leadership experience is a resource we do not waste in my administration.”
And from the front-running Vitter: “I certainly worked with General Honore after Katrina and Rita and was thoroughly impressed. I look forward to working with him on the key challenges we face in Louisiana today, 10 years later. He has a lot to offer.”
Pearson Cross, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, said it’s unlikely any more contenders will enter the race.
“I think this pretty much sets the field for major candidates,” Cross said. “It’s hard to imagine another major contender jumping into the race. Unless a wealthy candidate can self-fund the race I don’t know of anyone else who could raise enough money in this short amount of time to mount a credible campaign.”
Josh Stockley, a political scientist at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, agreed.
“Barring a scandal with one of the current candidates or an unexpected political shift, I don’t think you’ll see any serious additions to the field,” Stockley said. “Someone, even if he or she was self funded, would have to build an organization from scratch and develop alliances and networks overnight and much of that infrastructure is already secured by the existing candidates.”
Cross still handicaps the field with Vitter first, Edwards second and Dardenne and Angelle battling for third and desperate to jump Edwards to make the runoff.
“(Dardenne and Angelle) can’t wait to begin spending money if they want to get to the runoff with Vitter,” Cross said. “(Angelle) has been spending money and I think his numbers are up. I’m not sure why (Dardenne) is waiting.”
Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter @GregHilburn1
