Hewitt qualifies for governor; Jeff Landry to headline Trump style rally after joining race

Two more major Louisiana governor's race candidates qualified Wednesday, one the front-running Republican accompanied by fanfare that included a Donald Trump-style rally and another seeking a spark to jumpstart her campaign as the only woman in the race.

Republican Slidell state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, a former oil company executive steering her campaign in a more traditional Republican lane, is like the rest of the crowded GOP field seeking to establish herself as the preferred alternative to leading GOP candidate Attorney General Jeff Landry, who also qualified Wednesday.

"Up until now everyday voters haven't been paying attention," Hewitt said. "(Landry) has proven he's the best politician by gathering donors and insider endorsements, but I'm taking my case to everyday voters."

Hewitt, an engineer, also accused Landry of "damaging Louisiana's energy industry by siding with trial lawyers in coastal lawsuits."

"I'm running to give families a reason to stay in Louisiana rather than leave," Hewitt said. "Jeff Landry is not."

Landry shrugged off the criticism directed at him from the other Republican candidates, saying, "That's probably why they're in single digits."

He said his top priority as governor would be to address crime, noting three Louisiana cities - Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport - rank in the top 10 worst U.S. cities for crime.

"Unequivocally we have a crime problem," said Landry, who took only two questions from reporters. "I understand Louisiana and understand what's at stake. Enough is enough. Crime knows no party, no race. Education is the same ways and job opportunities as well."

Hewitt and Landry join Independent Hunter Lundy, Republican Treasurer John Schroder and Democrat Shawn Wilson in the race to replace Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, who is term limited.

Republican state Rep. Richard Nelson and former Gov. Bobby Jindal chief of staff Republican Stephen Waguespack are scheduled to qualify Thursday to round out the major candidates in the race.

Landry left the Louisiana State Archives building to headline a Wednesday night rally and concert at the Texas Club in Baton Rouge featuring country music artists Tracy Lawrence, John Rich and Craig Morgan.

One of Landry's political consultants described the event as "historic," noting that as of Monday 800 people had RSVP'd for the rally.

The Louisiana Republican Party, which endorsed Landry early and rankled the rest of the GOP field, also promoted the event "for our next governor Jeff Landry." Landry also has the backing of Trump.

"There's a problem with the state party," Hewitt said. "You don't endorse the only candidate in the field when you know there will be multiple Republicans in the race. They were trying to tip the scales with an insider deal. I don't think voters appreciate that."

The primary election is Oct. 14.

More: Louisiana governor race heats up on first day of qualifying as hopefuls take gloves off

More: Senator Barry Milligan shakes up Shreveport delegation by bowing out of election

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

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Hewitt's in; Jeff Landry to headline Trump style rally after joining race