daily advertiser: “Republican U.S. Sen. John Kennedy said he won’t run for governor of Louisiana this year, which is likely to trigger a flood of on-the-fence candidates to jump into the race.
In November, shortly after winning a second, six-year Senate term in a landslide victory, Kennedy said he would give the governor’s race “serious consideration” and released a poll showing him as the front-runner, but ended speculation Wednesday.
“I have looked into my heart and decided to remain in the Senate and not to run for governor,” Kennedy said in an email to supporters. “At this juncture, I just think I can help my state and my country more in the Senate.”
Kennedy’s announcement puts Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry, who has already secured the state GOP endorsement, as the clear leader out of the gate and the only major candidate to have officially announced.”