One candidate will open governor's office in Shreveport if he wins, put boots on ground

One candidate in the Louisiana governor's race will open a satellite office in Shreveport if he wins and spend time working onsite in Alexandria, Houma, Monroe and throughout the state's metros.

"There's too much power in Baton Rouge," said Republican Treasurer John Schroder, one of seven major candidates who have qualified for the Oct. 14 primary election.

Schroder said northern Louisiana justifiably feels short-changed when it comes to decisions made at the state Capitol in Baton Rouge.

"The state is fractured, and I'm going to work to make us all one," Schroder said in an interview with USA Today Network. "I don't think the leader of the state can understand every region's needs by spending most of his or her time in Baton Rouge."

Schroder is one of five Republicans in a crowded GOP field in which Attorney General Jeff Landry leads the pack in early polls.

The two-term treasurer and fellow Republicans state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, state Rep. Richard Nelson and former Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack all are seeking an opportunity to separate from the pack and cut into Landry's lead.

Former Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson has consolidated Democratic support as the only major Democrat in the race. Independent Hunter Lundy, a conservative wealthy attorney from Lake Charles, is also a major factor in the campaign.

Schroder said he is poised to make a move with a $1.5 million statewide TV buy set for Aug. 21. Schroder, Landry and Waguespack are the only candidates who have made major TV ad buys so far.

He said Baton Rouge is not only the seat of power in the state, but also rife with corruption.

"I'm not going to get a lot accomplished in the governor's office in Baton Rouge," Schroder said. "By opening an office in Shreveport and working in our other metro areas and everywhere in between, I'm going to bring entrepreneurs' attention to every area of our state and lift our economy."

Schroder said he also will work to decentralize power in Baton Rouge, where it has been entrenched for more a century by design of former Louisiana Gov. Huey Long.

"I'm going to find a ways to let our towns and cities keep more money at home rather than to have to come to Baton Rouge and beg for it," he said.

More: Sparks fly in Louisiana governor's race with Wags accusing Jeff Landry of 'trash' tactics

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: One candidate will open governor's office in Shreveport if he wins