After Viral Ad Blows Up, Louisiana Democratic Chair Says She’s Not Running for Governor

LOUISIANA (KPEL Information) – Regardless of an advert that includes right here getting a number of consideration, Louisiana Democratic Chair Katie Bernhardt is not going to be operating for governor, as beforehand assumed.

“I’m not operating for governor or the rest proper now,” Bernhardt instructed the USA At this time Community in a assertion. “We’re working to rebuild the Louisiana Democratic Social gathering, which begins with fielding sturdy, succesful candidates for statewide workplace.”

Her determination could also be as a consequence of the truth that the advert wasn’t acquired very properly by key figures of her personal get together, together with former U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers. Nonetheless, she appears to be saying she is not going to be taking a hands-off method within the race.

“We all know how essential this fall’s election is, and we’ll cease at nothing to maintain the governor’s workplace and win down-ballot races,” she stated in that very same assertion.

Bernhardt’s transient management of the state Democratic Social gathering up to now has been robust. In the course of the 2022 Senate race, she was accused of telling Chambers a black man couldn’t win a statewide race in Louisiana.

That prompted an enormous blowup, particularly after the state get together endorsed all three Democrats in that race, moderately than simply choosing one – and Chambers claimed the get together was poised to endorse him till Bernhardt intervened.

Then, after the Staff Louisiana PAC advert got here out, Chambers pushed again, questioning why she would throw her hat into the ring when one other black man, Dr. Shawn Wilson, was poised to run.

Wilson, who serves because the Transportation Secretary beneath Gov. John Bel Edwards, remains to be anticipated to announce a run for this yr’s gubernatorial election.

However, with Bernhardt saying she is out of the race, that offers the Democrats an opportunity to solidify round one candidate like Wilson.

The Staff Louisiana advert was not an official announcement of candidacy. Actually, had it been, it will have been a significant marketing campaign violation. Present election regulation states candidates and PACs can not coordinate, and along with her showing in an advert by a PAC, it will have been a flagrant violation of that regulation had she introduced her candidacy.

As a substitute, the advert was used to tout her and her means to convey Louisiana residents collectively and was meant to be a rallying cry for Democrats throughout the state. Nevertheless, it was seen as an try to lift her personal profile forward of an anticipated run for governor.