The election process for Louisiana’s two top officeholders could be drastically changed by legislation advanced Wednesday afternoon by the House and Governmental Affairs Committee. HB113 by Speaker Pro-Tem Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, is a proposed constitutional amendment that would have voters jointly elect the governor and lieutenant governor, starting in 2023.
According to Leger, observing some of the previous rocky relationships between the two offices is what led him to file the measure. “In the past, we’ve had governors and lieutenant governors, even of the same party, who were not entirely on the same page,” Leger said. “This is a more pragmatic approach to governing.”
Leger pointed out that 26 states, including Florida, Kentucky and Oklahoma, jointly elect their governor and lieutenant governor. “Having them aligned is a smoother and more efficient way to run the state,” Leger said, adding that the lieutenant governor must regularly perform the duties chief executive’s duties when the governor is out of the state.
By all accounts, the current occupants of those offices, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Lt. Gov Billy Nungesser, have an amicable relationship. According to Leger, Nungesser is supportive of the bill. Edwards, meanwhile, has no set convictions on the instrument.
“The governor wouldn’t be affected by this bill because it wouldn’t take effect until (after the upcoming election) in October, and he doesn’t have a position on it,” said Edwards campaign spokesman Eric Holl.
It is worth noting that there are some historical roots to Leger’s bill. Prior to 1971, almost all major candidates for statewide office ran jointly on tickets. Typically, the contenders for lower offices aligned themselves with gubernatorial candidates, and in return, received campaign donations and support. While the guidelines of the time were political rather than enshrined in law, the vast majority of voters went with the straight ticket when casting their ballots.
Despite the earlier precedent, two former occupants of the governor’s mansion are skeptical of the practicality of Leger’s bill.
“I don’t think it would work,” said former Gov. Edwin W. Edwards, the Democrat from Crowley who served four terms as the state’s chief-executive. “People vote for individuals now, not tickets. Times have changed.”
“I think it would be a mistake,” former Gov. Mike Foster, the Franklin Republican who held office from 1996 to 2004, said. “It would dilute our elections because people vote on the issues. The structure is fine where it is.”
Leger’s bill next heads to the House floor for a vote. If approved by lawmakers, the measure would be put on the fall ballot.
Jeremy Alford will publish Capitol Views each afternoon on Daily Report PM through the end of the legislative session. The report is also available to subscribers at LaPolitics.com.
