Louisiana governor's race takes nasty turn among Republicans with new attack ads launched

Louisiana's governor's race has already taken a nasty turn among Republicans with separate ads attacking Stephen Waguespack and Jeff Landry launched during the past week by political action committees supporting each of the two candidates.

The latest spot posted over the weekend reminded voters that Waguespack was chief of staff for former Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal, who won two terms but was unpopular when he left office with the state in financial crisis.

"Protect Louisiana's Children," a super PAC supporting Attorney General Landry, produced the ad, which begins: "When Stephen Waguespack was Gov. Bobby Jindal's top aide Louisiana's economy sank from sixth to 42nd."

"We're still recovering from the last time Stephen Waguespack ran Louisiana into the ground," the ad continues. "Stephen Waguespack - a mistake we can't make twice."

Last week "Reboot Louisiana," a super PAC supporting Waguespack, produced a spot blaming Landry for the state's high crime rate.

"Louisiana’s top law enforcement official, Jeff Landry, has failed us," the Reboot Louisiana spot begins. "Murder, rape, car jackings. Under Landry’s watch, Louisiana is the most dangerous state in America."

Landry, who secured an early endorsement from the Louisiana GOP and has former President Donald Trump's support, is the clear front-runner among Republicans, according to every poll made public.

Waguespack, who most recently led the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, was the latest major Republican entry into the race.

Other announced Republicans include: Sen. Sharon Hewitt of Slidell; Rep. Richard Nelson of Mandeville; and Treasurer John Schroder.

Former Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is the leading Democrat, while independent Lake Charles trial attorney Hunter Lundy is running as a conservative.

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards is term limited and can't run again this cycle.

Last week Republican Congressman Steve Scalise, the House majority leader, called on Reboot Louisiana to take the ad attacking Landry down, saying similar infighting in 2015 and 2019 cleared a path for Edwards in an otherwise deeply Republican state.

“We must learn from the mistakes of the 2015 and 2019 governor’s races, where Republican infighting ultimately squandered our opportunities to win the Governor’s Mansion,” Scalise said.

Scalise hasn't yet issued a similar statement condemning the Protect Louisiana's Children ad attacking Waguespack.

Official qualifying for the Oct. 14 governor's election isn't until 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 Shreveport Times: Louisiana governor's race takes nasty turn among Republicans