La. State Treasurer John Schroder joins race for governor

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroder is joining the race for governor.

A campaign website for Schroder, a Republican, was updated on Monday, Jan. 9, to reflect the gubernatorial run and request campaign donations from the public.

Top donors and insiders received a letter about the campaign that said Schroder is expected to hold an official kickoff event on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Doors to the campaign kickoff will open at 6:30 p.m. at the Fleur de Lis Event Center in St. Tammany Parish.

“This campaign is not going to be an easy one,” Schroder said in the campaign letter. “We expect a crowded field and know we will have to buck the entrenched political establishment to win, but it is a fight worth fighting for the future of Lousiana.”

Below is the complete letter that was sent to donors:

Louisiana State Attorney General and Republican Jeff Landry is the only other major candidate in the race for governor. He declared his candidacy on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Senator John Kennedy suggested he may run but later announced that he would not join the race. Senator Kennedy said he believed he could do more to help Louisiana and the country by remaining in the U.S. Senate.

RELATED STORY: How the governors race is shaping up with Kennedy out of the picture

Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser also indicated that he may kick off a gubernatorial campaign but announced on Monday, Jan. 9, that he will not run for governor. Instead, he said that he will seek re-election to his current job. He released a statement to supporters that said he believes he has unfinished business to bring tourism back to its peak performance in Louisiana.

So far, no Democrats have joined the race. However, Louisiana State Transportation Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson has hinted at a run. In a statement, Dr. Wilson said he and his family are giving a possible campaign the prayerful and informed consideration necessary.

RELATED STORY: Democrats tease candidate for governor

Voters will head to the polls to choose Louisiana’s next governor in the fall of 2023.

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