Louisiana governor's race field explained in 60 seconds

Now that the Louisiana governor's race field appears set, the pressure will build among the Republicans to see if any of them can catch and then pass Republican front-running Attorney General Jeff Landry.

That's what it will take to join Democrat Shawn Wilson, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' former transportation secretary, in advancing to a two-person runoff election.

With Wilson having galvanized the Democratic support, veteran pollster John Couvillon said he is a virtual lock to emerge from the Oct. 14 primary election and into the runoff.

Landry leads the Republicans with a devoted base and deep pockets, but Sen. Sharon Hewitt, Rep. Richard Nelson, Treasurer John Schroder and former Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack all believe Landry is polarizing with a ceiling of support they can surpass.

They'll have to prove it with polls and money or their shelf life will expire even before qualifying begins Aug. 8-10, LaPolitics Weekly Publisher Jeremy Alford said.

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"Up until now the question has been who else is getting in," Alford said. "The real question and intrigue now is what Republicans will get out. You've got a lot of Republicans and if they stay at the table some of them are going to starve."

Conservative Christian trial attorney Hunter Lundy of Lake Charles could be a wildcard after signaling he's willing to spend millions of his own money. "The field may be settle, but it's not peaceful," Alford said.

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: 60-second read: Explaining Louisiana governor's race field