Poll shows Stephen Waguespack gaining ground on Jeff Landry in Louisiana governor's race

A new poll shows Republican Stephen Waguespack closing the gap on leading GOP contender Jeff Landry in the Louisiana governor's race in a survey paid for by the political action committee supporting Waguespack's candidacy.

The poll, conducted by Remington Research Group and commissioned by Reboot Louisiana, is the first survey released that shows anyone except Landry and leading Democrat Shawn Wilson with double-digit support.

In the survey of 896 likely voters for the Oct. 14 primary election, Wilson leads with 27%, followed by Landry at 25%, Waguespack at 16%, Republican Treasurer John Schroder at 7%, independent attorney Hunter Lundy at 4%, Republican state Sen. Sharon Hewitt at 3%, state Rep. Richard Nelson at 0% and 18% undecided.

In a memo, Remington pollsters said the poll shows Waguespack as the only candidate demonstrating momentum at this stage of the race, noting Waguespack polled only 2% in a previous Remington poll conducted in March, while Landry's support fell from 30% in March.

Waguespack, who previously led the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and before that was chief of staff for former Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal, was the last major Republican to enter the race in early March.

Landry, Louisiana's two-term attorney general, jumped out of the gate early, securing the endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party in November to establish himself as the frontrunner among Republicans.

Wilson, former transportation secretary for Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, has consolidated Democratic support and is expected to secure one of the spots in the runoff election.

That would leave the five Republicans to compete for the other runoff spot, which means someone would have to catch and surpass Landry in the primary election.

Remington's pollsters said its latest survey results "clearly indicate that the race for governor has narrowed to three candidates."

The Remington poll also showed Waguespack's name recognition has grown from 21% in March to "nearly half of primary voters" with 28% viewing him favorably and 21% viewing him unfavorably. It showed Landry's name recognition has also grown from 65% to 77%, but that his unfavorable rating surpassed his favorable 40% to 37%.

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

More: In Louisiana, Democrats have unified for an underdog effort to hold governor's mansion

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

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: New poll shows 'Wags' gaining ground in Louisiana governor race