Democrat Shawn Wilson sets stage to launch campaign for Louisiana governor

Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is retiring from the agency, clearing the deck for his entry into the 2023 governor's race.

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Wilson's retirement Wednesday effective March 4.

Wilson, who served two terms as Edwards' transportation secretary, would be the first Democrat to enter the race. Edwards is term-limited and can't run for reelection.

Wilson said he will make an official announcement soon about the governor's race, but he clearly intends to run.

"It's important for both parties to have representation at the top of the ticket to engage voters across the state and across party lines," Wilson told USA Today in an interview this week. Wilson said he's "enthusiastic" about his decision, which he promised to announce soon.

Edwards praised Wilson Wednesday on the governor's monthly radio show on WRKF.

"He's absolutely capable, eminently qualified and would do great job," Edwards said of Wilson. "We would be very well served to have Shawn Wilson as our next governor."

So far the governor's campaign headlines have been dominated by Republicans in a state where Edwards is the only statewide elected Democrat and both the state House and Senate are dominated by the GOP with near super majorities.

Major Republican candidates who have already launched their campaigns include Attorney General Jeff Landry, Treasurer John Schroder, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt of Slidell and state Rep. Richard Nelson of Mandeville. Hunter Lundy, an Independent from Lake Charles, is a wealthy attorney who is financing his own campaign.

But Wilson believes he is a candidate who can relate to voters across party lines as a moderate voice in line with his long-time boss Edwards.

"I continue to get grassroots encouragement both in the state and nationally from people who believe the state deserves a leader who can speak to all voters," he said.

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Wilson, who lives in Lafayette, is a University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduate who earned his master's in public administration and doctorate in public policy from Southern University.

He served as chief of staff for two of Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal's transportation secretaries before Edwards appointed him to the top job in 2016. Wilson also worked for Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco.

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Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Democrat Shawn Wilson clears deck for Louisiana governor's campaign