Louisiana finally has a Democrat in the 2023 governor race: Shawn Wilson

Former Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, who served two terms with Gov. John Bel Edwards, has officially become the first Democrat to enter the 2023 governor's race.

"Louisiana needs a governor that’ll build bridges, not burn them," said Wilson, who retired from the agency Friday in preparation for his announcement. "That’s the kind of leader I’ve been, and that’s exactly the kind of governor I promise to be."

Wilson said the state invested $5.5 billion in infrastructure during his tenure as secretary, which he said is the most in Louisiana history, citing more than 2,000 projects, 162 bridges and 7,000 miles of roads and highways.

"We broke ground on the Comite River Diversion, dredged the Mississippi River to 50 feet, and made unprecedented investments in ports, rail and flood control," Wilson said in his launch video. "We’ve completed everything from high-profile interstate construction to small but vital rural highway projects. Many are still underway. And more are just beginning."

Until now the 2023 Louisiana governor's race has been dominated by Republican candidates. Democratic Gov. Edwards, an anomaly in the Deep South dominated by the GOP, is term-limited and can't run for reelection.

The Republican field already includes state Sen. Sharon Hewitt of Slidell, Attorney General Jeff Landry, state Rep. Richard Nelson of Mandeville and Treasurer John Schroder. Independent Hunter Lundy of Lake Charles has also announced.

Republican Baton Rouge U.S. Rep. Garret Graves and Republican state House Speaker Clay Schexnayder are also considering the race.

But Wilson, who is also the first Black candidate to announce, said he has a message that can cross party lines and resonate with a wide swath of the electorate.

"I’ve worked for four different governors for over 25 years," he said of Democrats Edwards and Kathleen Blanco and Republicans Bobby Jindal and Mike Foster. "I know the challenges our state is facing, and I know what it’ll take to overcome them.

"(Our) successes were only made possible because we were able to put political differences aside, bridge the divide, and come together to make meaningful progress. That is the only way to move Louisiana forward. We will always face obstacles. To overcome them requires leaders that will work with everyone, at all levels of government, regardless of party, or ideology."

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Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt applauded Wilson's entry into the race, though party leadership must vote before an official endorsement is made.

“Louisiana Democrats are excited about Dr. Shawn Wilson's historic campaign for governor," Bernhardt said in a statement. "He is a man of high character with a record of delivering results for the people of Louisiana."

Wilson, who lives in Lafayette, is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in urban and regional planning with a master's of public administration and a doctorate in public policy, both from Southern University.

Qualifying for the Oct. 14 primary election is Aug. 8-10.

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: Louisiana finally has a Democrat in the 2023 governor race: Shawn Wilson