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

Louisiana's governor's race field is set with no surprises as Richard Nelson and Stephen Waguespack joined the rest of the Republican field in taking aim at GOP frontrunner Jeff Landry and Shawn Wilson appears destined for one of the runoff spots as the only major Democrat in the race.

Nelson, a state representative from Mandeville, and Waguespack, most recently president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, officially entered the race on the final day of qualifying Thursday clearly needing catch Landry, the state's attorney general.

They joined Republican state Sen. Sharon Hewitt of Slidell, wealthy Independent Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy and Republican Treasurer John Schroder, who qualified earlier this week, in seeking to replace term-limited Gov. John Bel Edwards.

The Republicans trailing Landry are criticizing him as an intimidator and insider orchestrating backroom deals for endorsements and donor support, a theme that continued Thursday.

Waguespack accused Landry's campaign of threatening his donors with "consequences" if they continue to support him and called the tactics "trash."

"That campaign has absolutely deployed those tactics," said Waguespack, who was also chief of staff for former Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal. "They don't deserve that. So I would encourage (Landry) if that's not what you want from the campaign tell them to stop. It made me want to dig my heels in."

Nelson declined to engage, saying he never mentions other candidates while campaigning. "I'm really running against Huey Long," said Nelson, saying Louisiana's problems harken back a century to when the all-powerful Long molded the state's political landscape by concentrating power in Baton Rouge.

But earlier this week, Schroder called Landry "an antagonistic bully," while Hewitt said Landry secured his early lead by "gathering ... insider endorsements."

For his part, Landry shrugged off the political attacks, saying, "That's probably why they're in single digits."

Landry secured the early endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party, which rankled the other Republicans in the field, has the backing of former President Donald Trump and has lapped the field in fundraising.

"I understand Louisiana and understand what's at stake," Landry said. "Enough is enough. Crime knows no party, no race. Education is the same ways and job opportunities as well."

He even headlined a Trump-style rally and concert Wednesday night at the Texas Club in Baton Rouge featuring country music artists Tracy Lawrence, John Rich and Craig Morgan.

The primary election is Oct. 14 with the top two candidates advancing to a head-to-head runoff election Nov. 18.

More: Louisiana governor race heats up on first day of qualifying as hopefuls take gloves off

More: Hewitt qualifies for governor; Jeff Landry to headline Trump style rally after joining race

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: Sparks fly as Louisiana governor's race field set for October election